Nursing home: Why many families lose their entire inheritance

Saving for retirement? Our readers ask: what is it for? The article "Home, house sale, social assistance: 'Everything is gone down to the last cent'" describes how a family's care costs first consume their savings, then their parents' home, and ultimately any security. Many are outraged by this. Others warn that a personal contribution is necessary, otherwise the taxpayer will pay. The comments also offer tips for timely donations and criticize the high costs of care homes. The general tone: For many, the care system feels unfair and threatening to their existence.

Many readers are annoyed that assets and homes are being consumed by care costs, leaving children with nothing. They consider this unfair. Others acknowledge that care must be financed and instead criticize excessive inheritance expectations.

"In this country, as a service provider, you are the latently stupid one, you are battered, harassed, and overwhelmed with all kinds of insane expenses, even after your working life ..." To the original comment

"Of course, older people have to pay for their own care first. It becomes problematic when you consider the consequences for someone younger. Is it worth saving money for later care? Or does it make more sense to spend the money beforehand on travel and living well?" Original comment

"That's just how socialism works. Those who save their property lose. Those who carelessly spend everything on consumption actually benefit in the end. The main thing is to become dependent on the state and thus be forced to vote for those parties that keep the social system running." Original comment

"I find it a bottomless impudence how the state treats people who have worked their whole lives and earned property. My mother is in a nursing home. The costs now amount to €3,600. My mother's and father's pensions are completely gone." Original comment

"So, after seven years, all the money was gone. That's not nice, that's true. But who else would have paid the sum? Apparently the taxpayers, including me. I'm happy to pay for those who have nothing—but in this case, the savings were enough for at least seven years..." Original comment

"If people in need of care have savings and a house that they no longer live in, why should the state, the taxpayer, cover the care costs? So that the children can inherit later?" Original comment

"And anyone who hasn't worked their whole life, lived on welfare, and has nothing that could be taken away, will be cared for in the next room, just like the person whose life's work has been taken away. You simply shouldn't work in this country." Original comment

Many readers find it unfair that savers and workers lose their assets to care in old age, while others receive full support. They see this as a fundamental flaw in the system and blame politicians for this inequality.

"Some toil all their lives and earn a meager sum, only to have it snatched away from them at the finish line. Others come here and get everything..." Original comment

"We pay a lot of money from our taxes to many people so that they can pursue forward-looking policies and prevent such things from happening. When long-term care insurance was introduced, we citizens thought: Okay, that's settled now. But apparently, not enough has been done so far..." To the original comment

"I think this elderly lady has voted for the CDU and SPD all her life and will continue to do so for the next 25 years, right? And who is responsible for her money being gone now? Don't ask that question and vote for the SPD and CDU again next time." Original comment

"Everything's going according to plan, I don't know why this is so tugging at the heartstrings. By the way, we can thank the SPD in the 2000s for this situation. So I'm really relieved that this shambles-making team will be allowed to continue squandering money on NGOs and social welfare programs that benefit everyone, except the..." Original comment

Some commentators take a pragmatic approach, pointing to precautionary measures through gifts or contracts. Acting early can prevent the entire inheritance from being consumed by care costs. They cite specific deadlines and legal options for securing assets.

"The most important step to avoid handing over the parents' assets to a nursing home is to transfer the property to the children approximately ten years before the expected onset of the need for care (gift with right of residence and life annuity), then to donate all accounts except for the protected amount to the children, or to spend them wisely..." To the original comment

"Therefore, observe the legal deadlines (10+ years for gifts). It's better to make and record gifts sooner rather than later. Also interesting: Parental support only applies to gross incomes of €100,000 or more (the child's, not the joint income). So you don't have to worry that your own care costs will plunge your child into misfortune..." Read the original comment.

"Remember this. Give real estate to your children at least ten years before they go into a nursing home. Then the state will get almost nothing." Original comment

"Do you have to feel sorry for them? No. You can transfer the house to your children in time. You can take out long-term care insurance. Then something like this won't happen." Original comment

Some are irritated by the classification of care level 1, but still use the outdated term "care level." In fact, since the reform, there have been five care levels. Commentators cite outpatient services as alternatives to nursing homes, pointing to technical aids such as bath lifts or other forms of home support. The goal, they say, is to make greater use of existing options.

"That seems very strange to me. Care level 1 isn't really an argument for a nursing home. It can be managed very well outside, perhaps with a nursing service. If they really had to bathe her because she couldn't wash herself sufficiently, the next care level would have already been due..." To the original comment

"In my family, someone is in care level 3 – they shower twice a week and wash once a day. Medication is administered twice a day, shopping is done, and a cleaning lady comes once a week. And yet, this person still has over €300 left over each month from the care allowance for the family caregiver..." To the original comment

"There's something a bit strange about that, too. Care level 1, after you've broken your back after four years at home? Anyone who has ever experienced these phases of care knows that there is such a thing as outpatient care. In our case, of course, there was a hoist. And bathing? Then the care phase is exceptionally long..." To the original comment

"Given this level of care, I don't understand the classification in care level 1. Why didn't they raise it to care level 4? Then there would be more money?" Original comment

For another group, the central question is: Who should actually pay for care? Many criticize the perceived unfairness of the state or other taxpayers paying as long as there is wealth. They emphasize personal responsibility and social fairness.

"I'm not quite sure if I understood that correctly. So Ms. Wörster wants to oblige all taxpayers to pay for her mother's nursing home in order to receive something in the event of her inheritance? That sounds a bit strange to me." Original comment

"For me, one of the biggest problems here in Germany: Hundreds of billions are being wasted on social welfare projects, primarily for skilled workers and their families. Millions of welfare and citizen's allowance recipients don't pay a cent into the coffers, but empty them for the assistance provided. And those who, in old age, have too little money to receive care are mercilessly ripped off. The state takes every last cent, and when it's spent, it's... " To the original comment

"I always find it strange when people think that the person being cared for doesn't have to pay if he or she can..." To the original comment

Nursing homes are being sharply criticized by some readers. They complain about the high costs, suspect profiteering, and demand more community organization and better pay for family caregivers. The use of skilled workers is also being questioned.

"Nursing homes are a rip-off and should be banned!" Read the original comment

"Most nursing homes here are worthless!" Read the original comment

"About two years ago, a private broadcaster broadcast a documentary about why the suicide rate among the elderly is so high. The fear of having to go into a nursing home, the fear that their children will have to pay. More and more are giving away their possessions to avoid being plundered by the ten-year limit..." To the original comment

"The development of care costs resembles a staircase: Every time care rates are increased, costs jump shortly afterward. I can't imagine that it all has to be so expensive. For example, buy vitamin D on prescription at the pharmacy and compare it with ordering it online..." To the original comment

"The costs in nursing homes could be significantly lower if not only trained nursing staff worked there, but only semi-skilled assistants were employed for simple tasks such as serving meals, cleaning rooms, occupational therapy, administering medication, etc. ..." To the original comment

Further commentaries deal with tax issues, political demands, fundamental criticism of the system, generational perspectives and life planning.

"And what else caught my attention: The small meadow plot has brought the tax office into action? Why? Gifts of up to €400,000 per child are tax-free. And the grandchildren could have received €200,000 each. What kind of land has changed hands if three children become liable to tax..." To the original comment

"Many learn it only when it's too late, others are already wiser. But everyone has to figure it out for themselves. How it is that the children haven't been given the house earlier is not uncommon. But asking yourself afterwards why you're so frugal is the realization..." To the original comment

"Anyone who saves for their old age care has only themselves to blame. Sell all their property by the age of 65 at the latest or give it to their children. Spend the money on nice things. The state pays for the nursing home. No one needs to worry about that." Original comment

"Yesterday, Kretschmar demanded that people in Germany should do more. It's a mockery when you read this article." Original comment

What do you think? Join the discussion: Do you think it's fair that savings are used for nursing homes—or does Germany finally need a new solution for financing long-term care?

Note: The comments cited in this article reflect solely the opinions of users and have not been altered in content. The analysis, evaluation, and thematic grouping of the comments is automated using artificial intelligence.