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A sudden need for care – the first 7 steps

When someone suddenly needs care, a fixed order of steps helps: first sort out medical treatment, then apply for a Pflegegrad (care grade) straight away, then organise...

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  • Stand: 2026-07-30

  • Your next step: Ring the Pflegekasse today (it is based at the health insurance fund) and apply informally for a Pflegegrad. Make a note of the date of the call. Then arrange a free advice appointment at the Pflegestützpunkt near you.

Understanding Pflegegrade 1 to 5 (care grades)

The Pflegegrad (care grade) shows how independent a person still is in everyday life. There are five Pflegegrade: Pflegegrad 1 stands for a minor impairment,...

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  • Stand: 2026-07-30

  • Your next step: Check your decision letter to see which Pflegegrad you have – and then claim every benefit that goes with it. A Pflegestützpunkt will work out free of charge what you are actually entitled to: Find a Pflegestützpunkt.

The MD home visit: how the assessment works

After your application, the Pflegekasse (long-term care insurance fund) sends an assessor from the Medizinischer Dienst (MD, the medical service that assesses care...

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  • Stand: 2026-07-30

  • Your next step: Start a Pflegetagebuch today and tick the box on the application to say that you want the assessment report sent to you. If you would like to prepare for the appointment together with someone: Find a Pflegestützpunkt.

Pflegestützpunkte: finding free advice

Pflegestützpunkte (care support points) advise you free of charge, neutrally and independently of your health insurance fund. You need neither a Pflegegrad (care...

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  • Stand: 2026-07-30

  • Your next step: Look for the Pflegestützpunkt in your Bezirk or Landkreis and make an appointment – find a Pflegestützpunkt. Write down your three most important questions beforehand.