Next round in the fight for the continued existence of 24-hour care. Aid organization, Caritas and Malteser Care with an urgent appeal to the federal government.
Around 30,000 Austrians are currently dependent on 24-hour care. “It’s not an age issue. It’s also about children who can have a decent life with their families,” Malteser Care boss Helmut Lutz puts the topic in the right context. But 24-hour care is also subject to market conditions. “Since the beginning of Corona, we have noticed a significant decrease in the number of people who come to Austria to work. They reorient themselves to countries like Germany, Switzerland, Italy or Scandinavia. A lot more is paid there,” says Caritas boss Anna Parr. And undeclared work is also likely to rise again. Lutz: “In the past three months alone, 500 nurses in Vienna have either suspended or completely canceled their independence. Presumably not all of them went abroad, but are now working illegally. Without social security contributions and taxes, they have more.” “90 euro increase is a drop in the ocean” Aid organization boss Elisabeth Anselm: “The affected families are desperate. With the current price increases, it is becoming more and more difficult to keep or get 24-hour care.” The supporting organizations are therefore calling for a speedy amendment. Key points: Valorisation of the support and the upper income limit. In January, monthly support was increased by EUR 90 to EUR 640 for the first time since 2005. The upper income limit has been fixed at 2,500 euros for 15 years. In other words, fewer and fewer people are getting the subsidy at all, and due to inflation this is just “a drop in the ocean”. Anselm: “It would cost the state 45 million euros a year – a fraction of the cost of inpatient care.”
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