Domestic help for seniors

Thanks to a healthy diet, moderate exercise and a good health care system, many seniors today are physically fit into old age and manage their daily lives largely independently. But at some point there comes a point where it becomes increasingly difficult to carry out the daily tasks in the household and garden. But what can be done if there are no relatives around to give the senior citizens a hand?

The list of household chores is long. Regular tasks such as vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom or doing the laundry demand a lot, especially from physically impaired people. But some seniors find it difficult to accept help in the household. After all, they have managed on their own for decades. However, the use of housekeeping help for seniors can be an enormous physical and emotional relief in everyday life. Depending on their state of health, it is sometimes even indispensable to enable them to remain in their own four walls. And it is also reassuring for relatives to know that their loved ones are receiving support.

Senior citizens with a recognised care degree are entitled to care and relief benefits (also called relief amount) amounting to 125 euros per month. This also includes domestic help to cope with everyday life. This benefit can be applied for at the long-term care insurance fund. Persons in need of care are also entitled to many other measures, such as financial support for the barrier-free conversion of the bathroom.

After serious illnesses or hospital treatment, there is also help from the statutory health insurance funds for seniors without a care level. The requirements for granting household assistance are met if the person concerned is no longer able to fully perform everyday tasks (such as cleaning the flat or preparing meals). An application must be filled out so that the health insurance fund can assess the extent to which assistance is needed. However, the assistance is granted for a maximum of four weeks and statutory co-payments are due.

Care services, social welfare centres and personnel agencies offer support in the search. The employment office also helps to find household or cleaning help. Sometimes you can also find people among your friends and acquaintances who are looking for a mini-job and can imagine doing it. Just ask! It is also worthwhile to look through the job offers in the local newspaper for domestic help or cleaning help for seniors.

There are also some providers on the Internet where pensioners or their relatives can find domestic help for certain tasks. [Here you can choose what kind of help you need and then look at profiles of potential candidates in your area. If someone meets your expectations, he or she can be contacted directly through the site.

Nursing services, such as assistance with food intake or body cleaning, are generally not included in the activities of a domestic helper. Typical tasks are:

• Preparing meals, making coffee or tea
• Cleaning the kitchen, washing dishes
• Cleaning the living space (tidying, vacuuming, mopping)
• Making and changing beds
• Looking after the garden and terrace, watering flowers
• Washing, hanging and ironing laundry
• Cleaning windows and washing curtains
• Caring for pets

During the interview, both parties can get a first personal impression. All upcoming tasks and working hours should be discussed. References or certificates of good conduct can also be presented at the interview. If the potential assistant seems likeable and can imagine the job, a written contract should be concluded. Among other things, the contract should specify the type of work, the amount of time and the payment. This avoids disagreements later on. Furthermore, these precautionary measures make sense:

1. Do not leave valuable objects or money lying around in the open.
2. Have a handover of keys (e.g. front door key) confirmed in writing with a signature.
3. Regularly check the work of the domestic help.end of form Address if the services are only insufficiently fulfilled.
4. If you want to be on the safe side, you can agree on a trial period of up to 6 months.

As a private employer, you have to register your domestic help as a permanent employee subject to social insurance with the competent health insurance fund and pay social insurance contributions. The employee and the employer each pay half.

If the domestic help earns less than 450 euros, it is a marginal employment, a so-called mini-job. Then you have to register the domestic help with the Minijob-Zentrale  This can be done online, by post or by telephone. This means that the helper is automatically covered by social security and pension insurance. The employer pays a lump sum to the insurance companies. Illegal employment can result in heavy fines.

A mini-jobber is entitled to continued payment of wages in case of illness, holiday and minimum wage. The earnings limits must also be observed. In the case of mini-jobs in private households, the Minijob-Zentrale also takes over the registration for statutory accident insurance and the collection of contributions. In case of an accident of the domestic help, the senior citizens do not have to fear any costs.

There are some clever household aids on the market that make household chores or everyday activities easier and safer for the elderly:

Laundry basket trolley: Basically, it helps if the washing machine and dryer are placed on a proper elevation. This way, older people do not have to bend down as much. If an ergonomic, easy-rolling trolley is available for the laundry basket, the back is also protected.

Sweepingaid and feather duster: With a standing sweeping set, crumbs on the floor can be swept up without bending down. When the shovel with the long handle is placed on the floor, it opens; when it is lifted again, it closes. A telescopic duster can be extended to different lengths, making it easier to clean ceilings and hard-to-reach corners.

Shower stool / shower chair: The special construction for sitting can be placed safely and stably in the shower. Among other things, they are available as simple stools, wall-mounted folding seats or shower chairs with arm and back rests.

Rollators: There are lightweight rollators for the home as well as robust outdoor rollators that can transport shopping, among other things. Thanks to the seat, a breather can be taken at any time while on the move.

Robot hoovers: These compact household appliances vacuum the flat independently and thus make the work much easier. A timer can be used to determine when the little robot should start its work, for example during your absence or at night. Since most devices are very quiet in operation, they do not disturb you even when you are present and do their work while you are busy with other activities.

Mobile side table: This all-purpose table can function as a coffee table or bed table, among other things, and is usually adjustable in height and angle. Many models are equipped with castors.

Clocks and remote controls: Alarm clocks and watches are available in senior-friendly versions with clearly visible numbers and hands. Special remote controls have large and clearly arranged buttons. All entertainment devices can be easily operated with a universal remote control.

Mobile phones for senior citizens: A display with clear menu navigation and large keys ensure easy operation, even for inexperienced users. An additional SOS emergency call button increases safety in everyday life.

When older people feel overwhelmed with managing their daily lives, a domestic helper can be a real blessing for certain activities. There are different ways to find a reliable and trustworthy fairy godmother. But once she is there, you don't want to miss her!