Berlin, May 22 – The Berlin House of Representatives has approved a groundbreaking law, the Elderly Care Structure Act, which sets binding standards for elderly care across its districts. This makes Berlin the first federal state in Germany to implement such a comprehensive legal framework for senior support.
Foundation for a Good Life in Old Age
Dr. Ina Czyborra, Senator for Science, Health, and Care, emphasized the significance of the decision: “With the adoption of the Elderly Care Structure Act, a necessary and important foundation for a good life for older people in Berlin is being laid.” The new law aims to concretize Section 71 of the German Social Code XII (SGB XII), creating a uniform framework for supporting older people at the district level. Until now, the Berlin elderly care system lacked binding structures, a situation the new law is designed to rectify, fulfilling a key objective of the ruling coalition.
Anchoring Sustainable Structures
According to the Senate Department for Science, Health, and Care, the law’s primary goal is to establish sustainable structures within local communities and districts. This includes ensuring access to information and meeting places where older people can interact with others, thereby preventing social isolation. Specific provisions include digital empowerment initiatives, opportunities for social engagement, and advisory centers that address age-related questions, assess care needs, and refer individuals to relevant services.
The act also introduces income-dependent individual benefits, such as emergency call systems and relocation assistance, where a demonstrable need exists. This preventive and supportive approach aims to maintain the independence of older people for as long as possible and to proactively manage transitions into care needs. For the administration, the law is expected to bring clarity and ensure consistent practices across all districts.
Berlin Takes Elderly Care Seriously
Senator Czyborra reiterated that the act represents a “necessary and important cornerstone for a good life for older people in Berlin.” She stressed that the law creates essential binding obligations and strengthens structures to ensure that every older person, regardless of their district, has access to high-quality support services. Berlin is thus taking its responsibility for elderly care seriously as a state mandate.
Background: The Elderly Care Structure Act amends Berlin’s Implementation Act for the Twelfth Book of the Social Code (AG SGB XII) by adding a new paragraph. This new section clearly defines the responsibilities of the state and districts, including planning responsibilities. It reinforces elderly care as a legal mandate to ensure the independence, autonomy, and participation of older people. A new feature is the planned impact assessment, for which principles, standards, and benchmarks will be defined in supplementary executive regulations.
This will benefit the design of the three forms of services in Berlin’s elderly care: 1. Information and counseling, 2. Participation and encounters, and 3. Individual case services. Furthermore, the act specifies the placement of elderly care structural planning and coordination within the districts. It also establishes binding guidelines for uniform administrative practices across Berlin regarding income-dependent individual benefits.
Source: https://www.altenheim.net/berlin-verabschiedet-bundesweit-erstes-altenhilfestrukturgesetz/
