Germany’s long-term care system is teetering on the brink of collapse, according to a new survey commissioned by the DAK-Gesundheit health insurance provider, highlighting a crisis of confidence and affordability eroding public trust. The Allensbach Institute’s poll, released Tuesday, reveals that a staggering 66% of the German population rate current care provisions as “poor” or “very poor” with nearly half (46%) anticipating a further deterioration in the next decade.
The survey data paints a stark picture of profound anxieties surrounding the sustainability of the system. The overwhelming majority (70%) cite the exorbitant costs borne by those requiring care and their families as the primary concern, swiftly followed by severe staff shortages and a pervasive lack of qualified caregivers (68%). A palpable sense of urgency surrounds the need for a sustainable financing model, advocated by 64% of respondents. A similar proportion (64%) express doubts about receiving adequate, quality care in their region should they require it.
Public sentiment overwhelmingly prioritizes affordability. 87% believe making care accessible to all citizens should be the paramount objective, while 79% demand long-term financial security. A majority (73%) advocate for caps on nursing home placement costs and 71% desire a simplification of the convoluted benefits system.
The findings underscore a deep-seated feeling of injustice. A resounding 83% believe that individuals who have diligently contributed to the care insurance system throughout their working lives are inadequately protected when faced with the need for care. Equally concerning, 83% perceive care as increasingly unaffordable for many, while nearly three-quarters fear becoming financially overwhelmed should they themselves require long-term care. Almost as many believe that needing care equates to a genuine risk of poverty for both the individual and their families.
“We are at a tipping point in care” warned Andreas Storm, CEO of DAK-Gesundheit. “Public trust in the system is extremely low and threatens to collapse. Many people perceive the system as bad, unfair and overburdened.
The survey reveals a strong preference for state intervention to resolve the crisis. A majority (56%) support increased government subsidies or tax funding to safeguard the care of those in need. Furthermore, 47% see a rise in contributions from wealthier or high-earning individuals as a viable solution and nearly as many (46%) believe that affluent individuals should bear a greater share of the costs when requiring care.
However, there’s a strong aversion to depleting personal assets to fund care. Only 27% believe it’s acceptable to leverage personal wealth to cover placement costs, while a significant 63% oppose the prospect of being forced to sell their homes to fund care. The government’s suggestion of introducing a compulsory supplementary care insurance is also met with strong resistance, backed by only a minority (21%). The poll results powerfully illustrate the growing disillusionment with the current system and highlight the urgent need for systemic reform to ensure the long-term viability and equity of care in Germany.
