What is short-term care and who is entitled to it?
Short-term care is temporary, fully inpatient care in a care facility. You are entitled to have the costs of such a facility covered for up to eight weeks a year, provided you have at least care level 2. Recognised care facilities are mandatory, which means that the facility must be approved by the care insurance fund.
Special requirements in gay, lesbian and transgender care
In lesbian and gay care, families of choice, biological families or carers may be temporarily unable to provide care. Transgender people often have additional medical needs that are rarely covered by standard care. In this case, it may make sense to organise care for a certain limited period of time via short-term care.
Financial aspects and funding opportunities
Care insurance reimburses up to 1,774 euros per calendar year. If this amount is not sufficient, it can be increased to up to 3,386 euros through the budget for respite care. But beware: the amounts mentioned do not cover all costs. Accommodation, meals and so-called investment costs are additional and must be paid out of your own pocket.
Choosing the right facility and special facilities for people with disabilities
Make sure that the short-term care facility is authorised by the care insurance fund. There are interspersed and solitary forms of short-term care. "Interspersed" means: fully inpatient homes that offer temporary care and support for people in need of care.
Solitary means: Short-term care places are clearly separated structurally from premises used for other purposes and are managed as a spatially and organisationally independent facility or unit.
Queer inclusivity is crucial
Unfortunately, there is often still a lack of information in the care world regarding the specific needs of LGBTIQ people. Queer inclusivity should not just be a buzzword, but a lived practice in the organisation. This is particularly important if you have special requirements or needs in gay, lesbian or transgender care.
What should you look out for?
- Research in advance: Find out in advance whether the organisation offers queer-sensitive services. Some organisations explicitly state that they are diversity-sensitive or queer-sensitive. The best place to look is, of course, our Care radar .
- Personal conversation: A personal conversation with the nursing staff or management can tell you a lot about how open and sensitive the facility is.
- Viewing: A personal impression on site is often the most informative. Look out for queer symbols, anti-discrimination guidelines or whether there are rooms that can be used for group meetings of the LGBTIQ community.
- Patient/customer reviews: Sometimes online reviews or personal recommendations are good indicators of the quality of care and how diversity is handled.
- Check staff training: Asking whether staff are trained in LGBTIQ-sensitive care can also be a good indicator.
- Formal policies and procedures: An institution that has formal anti-discrimination policies and grievance procedures demonstrates its commitment to an inclusive environment.
- Network and cooperation: Institutions that work with queer organisations or health services are often more sensitive to the needs of the LGBTIQ community.
- Flexibility in care planning: Facilities should be prepared to develop individualised care plans that take into account specific needs, such as hormone therapy for trans people.
Investment costs and their significance
Investment costs arise from the construction, acquisition and maintenance of buildings and facilities. They can be passed on to the residents and vary depending on the equipment and location of the facility.
Conclusion
Respite care is a complex issue that poses particular challenges for LGBTIQ people. Preparation and thorough research are essential. Financial support is limited and often does not cover the entire costs. It is therefore important to carefully consider all aspects, including financial ones, and to choose a facility that meets your needs, especially if you are a gay, lesbian or transgender carer or are in need of care.
