Economist Martin Werding is cautioning against a proposal put forward by Union parliamentary vice-president Albert Stegemann, which suggests making adult children financially responsible for their parents’ elder care. Werding noted to the “Rheinische Post” that when adult children assist with parental care, they frequently already take on a significant portion of that care, thereby easing the burden on the insurance system.
He also fears that this change could lead seniors to avoid seeking help from social welfare offices. According to Werding, in recent years, social agencies have deliberately limited their ability to pursue adult, financially obligated children for support regarding older adults, especially in matters of basic retirement security. He believes this limitation has helped keep “hidden poverty” in check.
Instead, Werding advocates for increasing the surcharge for single children within the long-term care insurance. The Bochum economist suggested that legislators should consider expanding the rules, which were introduced at the request of the Federal Constitutional Court, to better utilize the resources of single children and those from financially strained families to help fund their parents’ care within the context of ongoing reforms.
Meanwhile, Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) is considering raising the surcharge for single children in long-term care from 0.6 to 0.7 percent.
