Care level 3

Care level 3 is a recognized care level within the framework of long-term care insurance and is awarded to people who have a significant impairment in their independence and everyday competence. This impairment can arise due to physical, mental or psychological illness. Care level 3 is a medium care level, which is usually accompanied by a high need for support. This article provides information about the requirements for care level 3, the associated benefits, and the possible impairments that can lead to this care level. It also describes how a caregiver can help in the care and support of people with care level 3.
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Prerequisites for care level 3

In order to be classified in care level 3, an assessment must be carried out by the Medical Service of the Health Insurance (MDK or, since the MDK Reform Act of 2019, "only" Medical Service or MD). The assessment is based on six modules, each of which evaluates different aspects of independence and everyday competence. The MD uses a detailed questionnaire to assess which level of care is appropriate.

Mobility

Cognitive and communication skills

Behavioral and psychological problems

Self-sufficiency

Coping with and independently dealing with illness- or therapy-related demands and stresses

Organization of everyday life and social contacts

It is important to emphasize that these questions are only examples and that the MD will consider other questions and aspects during the assessment. Furthermore, there may be additional or completely different questions depending on the individual situation of the person concerned. For care level 3, significant impairments must be determined in at least two modules. A significant impairment exists if the person concerned is dependent on support in this area at least once a day.
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The weighting of the six modules in the assessment for the care degree is as follows:


In the case of modules 2 and 3, i.e. cognitive and communication skills and behavioral and psychological problems, only the module with the higher point value is included in the calculation and weighted at 15%. This means that the person in question can only earn points in one of the two modules and the module with the higher point value counts. This is to prevent minor impairments in one area from masking or offsetting more severe impairments in another area.

Persons in need of care whose final score is between 47.5 and 70 points are classified in care level 3. They are entitled to all the benefits in kind and cash benefits of care level 3. This means that they are entitled to financial support for outpatient or inpatient care services, cost absorption for aids and living space adaptations, and support in organizing care. Financial support can also be provided for 24-hour home care. Relief for family caregivers, for example through hourly care, can also be claimed.

Points are an important factor in the care degree classification, but there are other factors to consider as well. It is important to note that the weighted final score is only one criterion for classification into care level 3 and that other factors, such as regular reviews of the need for care or the individual situation of the person concerned, are also taken into account.
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An example of classification in care level 3:
Helmut, 78 years old, is suffering from advanced dementia. Due to his cognitive impairment, Helmut can no longer go shopping independently, manage his household, or handle his personal hygiene and food intake. In this case, the MD's assessment would probably show that there is a significant impairment in the modules 'cognitive and communicative abilities' and 'self-care'.
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Benefits care level 3

Here is an overview of the cash and non-cash benefits to which people with care level 3 are entitled:

Care allowance at care level 3:

Persons in need of care with care level 3 are entitled to care allowance if they are cared for at home by relatives, friends or other non-trained and non-commercial persons. The care allowance amounts to 545 euros* per month. This can also be used in full, for example, for the 24h care service via marta and can thus significantly reduce costs.
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Care benefits in kind for care level 3:

Persons in need of care with care level 3 are entitled to care benefits in kind if they are cared for at home by a professional care service. The scope of the care benefits in kind is determined individually and can amount to up to 1,363 euros* per month. In addition, they can use the relief amount of up to 125 euros per month for these benefits under certain conditions.
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Day and night care for nursing degree 3:

Persons in need of care with care level 3 are entitled to day and night care if they cannot be cared for full-time at home. The costs of day and night care are covered by long-term care insurance.
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Short-term care with care degree 3:

People in need of care with care level 3 are entitled to short-term care if their caregiver is temporarily absent or inpatient treatment is necessary. Long-term care insurance covers the costs of short-term care up to 1,774 euros per year. In this context, the benefit amount can be increased by up to 1,612 euros to a total of up to 3,386 euros per calendar year by means of funds for preventive care that have not yet been claimed.
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Preventive care for nursing degree 3:

Persons in need of care with care level 3 are entitled to preventive care if their caregiver is absent or needs time off. This benefit covers up to six weeks a year and is limited to a maximum of 1,612 euros. In this context, the benefit amount can be increased by up to 806 euros to a total of up to 2,418 euros in a calendar year by means of short-term care funds that have not yet been used.
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Living space adaptation for care degree 3:

People in need of care with care level 3 are entitled to financial support for necessary living space adaptations, such as the installation of a stair lift or the widening of doors.
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Aids for care degree 3:

Persons in need of care with care level 3 are entitled to have the costs of necessary aids, such as wheelchairs or walking aids, covered.
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Relief services care degree 3:

Persons in need of care with care level 3 are entitled to relief services, such as hourly care or everyday companionship. The amount for these benefits is up to 125 euros per month. Preventive care and short-term care are separate benefits and have separate budgets.
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It is important to note that the specific amount of cash and non-cash benefits is determined individually and depends on various factors, such as the extent of care or the type of benefits. Care level 3 is not automatically granted for life. The need for care must be reviewed regularly, and the care grade may be adjusted if the person's state of health changes.
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*From January 1, 2024, a 5 percent increase in care allowance and care benefits in kind is planned


marta: Your support for people in need of care with care level 3

We at marta and our vetted caregivers can offer support in various areas, as in the case described above, to Helmut, who suffers from dementia and has care level 3. Thanks to the detailed matching system with many filter functions, with marta you will only find caregivers who really suit you and, unlike competitors, you have full cost transparency and always have an overview. The experienced caregivers from marta can help you with personal hygiene, household chores or care and support in everyday life. Here are some specific examples:
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A caregiver ensures elderly people maintain a reasonable level of comfort and dignity in their familiar surroundings by assisting them with household chores.



Personal care:

A caregiver can assist with personal hygiene, such as washing, showering, dressing and undressing, or dental care. A caregiver can also help with handling incontinence products.
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Housekeeping:

A caregiver can assist with household tasks, such as preparing meals, grocery shopping, or cleaning the home.
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Care and support in everyday life:

A caregiver can also help with managing everyday life, for example by accompanying and supporting you when you go for a walk, visit the doctor or engage in leisure activities.


At marta, all caregivers undergo a background and ID check to ensure maximum security. If you are not satisfied, you can usually cancel the contract between you and the caregiver at no additional cost after only 7 days. All caregivers have a registered and 100% legal business and are extensively insured. Here at marta, you can get in touch with caregivers without any detours using our platform. On the one hand, this saves you money, but on the other hand, it also ensures that the caregivers are paid fairly. The marta team is always at your side and supports you in your search for the right caregiver as well as with specific questions.


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The term "24-hour care" has become established in the public domain for care in the home. "Care in the home community" corresponds to real family structures and accurately describes the complex relationship between caregivers, people in need of care and relatives. This does not mean, however, that our caregivers work continuously or are on call 24 hours a day. Caregivers placed by us usually work a maximum of 48 hours/week. The working hours can be divided by arrangement. Night shifts can be arranged to a certain extent. However, a permanent readiness (e.g. baby monitor during the whole night) is excluded. In order to ensure good and legally permissible working conditions for the caregivers, the caregivers are entitled to sufficient continuous daily rest periods, as well as at least 1 day off/week. We are happy to support you in developing a comprehensive care concept to organize seamless care. For further explanations, our team is at your disposal.We are a member of the Bundesverband für häusliche Betreuung und Pflege e.V. (VHBP). Here we are committed to fair and legally secure framework conditions - for the caregivers, the people in need of care, as well as their relatives.

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