Early signs of an impending need for care and nursing

A need for care and nursing is imminent when ...

• minor assistance becomes insufficient.
• physical abilities and strength are declining.
• mental disorders are noticeable.
• housekeeping becomes a problem.

In such cases it is possible to implement care and nursing measures that respect the personal habits and individual preferences of the person in need as a broad range of care options is available.

When planning care, the jungle of services and benfits makes advice from experts indispensible. The district offices of the Free and Hanseatic  CIty of Hamburg have established so-called care bases (Pflegestützpunkte) (PDF, in German only)  for this very purpose. Of course, it is very important to include the person requiring care or nursing as far as possible in the decision-making process.

When a care and nursing situation is looming, there is usually enough time to gather information, discuss the issues at hand and try several options. This also leaves room to plan the next stage of care.