The vast majority of German pensioners prefer to live separately in old age
In Germany, about 17.5 million Germans (or 20 percent of the country's population) have crossed the 65-year mark. What forms of living do German pensioners prefer? We bring to your attention a special overview prepared by Deutsche Welle.
Nursing homes
In 2017 (the latest such data), there were 14,500 nursing homes in Germany. There are three main types of such institutions:
• Altenwohnheim – its residents run their own household, are mostly able to take care of themselves, and receive only limited care assistance;
• Altenheim – its residents need only minor external care but can count on regular help with cleaning, meal organization, and housekeeping;
• Altenpflegeheim – here, inpatient care is provided for helpless people who can count on round-the-clock assistance. Such nursing homes are especially common in Germany.
The share of municipal institutions of this kind is only five percent of the market. More than half of nursing homes are funded by non-profit and charitable organizations. The cost of living in a German nursing home averages 1,700 euros per month across the country.
Pensioners partially pay for their stay in a nursing home themselves, and partially these costs are covered by insurance. The amount of personal contribution depends on the person's financial situation. In any case, living even in an inexpensive German nursing home will cost at least 1,000 euros per month – especially since pensioners must cover the costs of repairs and maintenance of such facilities from their own savings.
Specially equipped apartments
However, the forms of living for elderly Germans have changed significantly over recent decades. The vast majority of German pensioners (2.59 million out of 3.41 million who need constant care) now live separately and do not even think about moving to a nursing home.
The optimal living option is Seniorenresidenz. These are residential complexes built specifically for elderly people, where barrier-free movement is ensured. Each resident has a separate apartment (Seniorenwohnung) designed for the comfort and safety of an elderly person. All rooms are on one level: no stairs or thresholds. Baths or shower cabins are equipped with special seats and handrails.
As a rule, such housing is built in areas with good infrastructure, within walking distance of pharmacies, supermarkets, and clinics. Needless to say, living in such conditions is not cheap: renting the most modest apartment in a Seniorenresidenz complex costs at least 1,500 euros per month. And often the price reaches several thousand euros per month.
Assisted living
An alternative to a nursing home can be so-called "assisted living" (Betreutes Wohnen). Elderly people in need of care live independently in separate but specially equipped apartments adapted to their needs. At the same time, necessary services are provided to the person at home by "support services" – medical institutions, social organizations, cleaning companies.
In other words, this involves not only regular check-up visits from social and medical workers. The person can also count on help with household chores, whether it be cleaning, laundry, or ironing, as well as meal delivery to their home. The apartment has emergency call buttons for medical staff. Help can be requested at any time of day or night.
Often, such residential complexes have common areas where residents can go to socialize with neighbors, discuss the latest news, play board games, or make music. This is done so that lonely people do not get bored, do not withdraw into themselves, and do not lose their zest for life. The rent for housing in such complexes is approximately the same as in Seniorenresidenz.
Shared housing for the elderly
And sometimes it happens like this: several lonely pensioners who share common views and interests rent a separate apartment and live together as one family. Each has their own room where they can retreat at any time. Those who want to socialize gather in the kitchen or living room and cook together, watch TV, exchange news, chat, and celebrate holidays.
Such shared housing for the elderly (Senioren-Wohngemeinschaft, WG) is growing in popularity in Germany. And it is understandable: its residents feel part of a community where they can count on support in difficult times and where no one feels abandoned to their fate. Not to mention that this form of living helps save a lot of money.
Under one roof with a student
"Housing for help" (Wohnen für Hilfe) is the name of a housing concept that has spread in many German cities in recent decades. Its essence is that a person who has remained alone in old age and lives in a house or apartment with a large area rents out part of the housing to students.
In this case, young people only pay for utilities. Everything else is free, but on the condition that the tenant will help with housekeeping: shopping, cleaning, walking the dog. The number of work hours depends on the size of the rented room.
For example, if its area is 15 square meters, the student must work 15 hours per month. In a situation where rental costs in large German cities are skyrocketing, such shared housing is in high demand.