For relatives
Arranging care for a relative
Your mother is about to be discharged from hospital, your partner can no longer manage everyday life alone, or you yourself are reaching your limits as a carer? Many care situations begin suddenly. Here you can read what to clarify before you post a request for another person, and what happens next.
May you act for your relative?
A care request contains details about a person's health. Only post one for another person if you are allowed to represent them – for example with a lasting power of attorney (Vorsorgevollmacht), as their legal guardian (rechtliche Betreuung) or because the person has expressly asked you to.
Being related does not automatically mean that you may decide for someone or pass on their health data. If the person can still take part, involve them: what support would they like, and where do they want to be cared for?
This website cannot judge whether a power of attorney is sufficient in an individual case. Guardianship associations, the local guardianship authority or legal advice can help with such questions.
What to gather beforehand
You do not need any nursing knowledge. These four points help with the request.
What help is needed
With washing and dressing, eating, the household, medication or at night? Describe it in your own words – technical terms are not necessary.
Where and from when
Postcode and town where the care is to take place, and the preferred start. The full address does not belong in the request.
Care level
Is there a care level (Pflegegrad), has one been applied for or is it not yet known? Each of these answers is possible.
Who can be reached
Your telephone number and email address. Care providers only see them once you have selected one of them.
You do not upload doctors' letters or findings. Anything a care provider needs to know in more detail, you discuss with them directly later.
How to proceed as a relative
1. Choose the type of care and the place
At home, in a care home, for a few weeks, during the day or at night, or intensive care – the overview below helps you choose. The care request assistant in the portal then shows you whether participating providers can be reached at your place.
2. Create your own account
Free of charge, with your own email address, which you confirm once. In it you act for the person who needs care.
3. Post the care need
The registered home care services and care providers in the service area that offer this type of care are notified.
4. Choose together
Discuss the responses with your relative and choose the care provider together.
How registration works for private individuals is described on the page Registration.
Which type of care fits the situation?
Bridging a period
After a hospital stay or when you as a family carer are unavailable.
Relief during the day or at night
Care in a facility for part of the day or the night.
Ventilation or intensive monitoring
Specialised care outside hospital.
In a supported housing setting
Care by a home care service in assisted living or in a shared flat.
A request covers exactly one type of care. If you need two – for example day care and a home care service for the other days – post two requests.
When it has to be quick
If a discharge from hospital is coming up, talk to the hospital's social services early on. Hospitals can also request follow-up care through Pflege Patienten – coordinate with them so that care providers are not asked twice.
Pflege Patienten is not an emergency or acute care service. In an emergency, call 112; outside surgery hours you can reach the medical on-call service on 116 117.
Questions from relatives
Post a request for your relative
Choose the type of care and the place, then create your free account. You enter the details of the care need in the protected portal.