Home design for people with limited mobility – support from care insurance
For many people, their own home is a place of safety and security. However, when mobility restrictions occur – whether due to illness, disability or age – everyday movements within your own four walls can become a challenge. Door thresholds become obstacles, narrow doors make it difficult to use a wheelchair or rollator, and stairs are almost impossible to negotiate.
This is where the improvement of the living environment according to § 40 SGB XI comes in: It enables remodelling measures that facilitate independent living or support care at home. Care insurance can provide financial subsidies for this. But which measures are subsidised? How do you submit an application? And what other funding options are there? In this article, we answer these questions and show how those affected and their relatives can receive support.
What does ‘improvement of the living environment’ according to §40 SGB XI mean?
Measures to improve the living environment are adaptations to the home or house that help people in need of care to live more safely and independently. This can involve structural changes or technical aids. The measures are designed either to make care easier or to improve mobility within the home.
The aim of these adaptations is to enable the person concerned to remain in their familiar surroundings for as long as possible. At the same time, carers are relieved by reducing barriers and What requirements must be met?making care easier.
What requirements must be met?
In order for the care insurance fund to grant a subsidy for measures to improve the living environment, certain requirements must be met:
- Care degree: The person in need of care must have at least care degree 1. Without a recognised care level, the care insurance will not cover any costs.
- Necessity of the measure: The modifications must be demonstrably necessary either to facilitate independent living or to enable or facilitate care.
- Customisation: Only measures that are tailored to the specific needs of the person in need of care are subsidised.
- Application before the start of the measure: The assumption of costs must be applied for and approved before the conversion.
Amount of subsidies from long-term care insurance
Care insurance can grant a subsidy of up to €4,180 per measure for measures to improve the living environment.
If several people in need of care live in one household, the amount can even be added together – up to €16,720 for four eligible persons (new amounts since 1 January 2025).
However, this subsidy is not paid out automatically, but must be actively applied for. In addition, payment is made after completion of the measure on presentation of the invoices. As a rule, 100% of the costs are covered up to the maximum subsidy amount. If the costs exceed this amount, the person concerned or their relatives must pay the difference themselves.
How to submit the application
An informal application is required for the care insurance fund to cover the costs of a home adaptation. The following steps must be observed:
- Contact the care insurance fund: Firstly, you should contact the relevant care insurance fund to find out which documents are required.
- Prove necessity: The fund often requires a medical certificate or a statement from the medical service justifying the need for the measure.
- Obtain a cost estimate: Offers or cost estimates from tradesmen must be submitted before authorisation is granted.
- Submit application in writing: The application forms can be obtained directly from the care insurance fund or online. The remodelling work may only begin after approval!
As soon as the work has been completed, the invoices must be submitted so that the subsidy can be paid out.
Which measures are subsidised?
Not every remodelling project is covered by care insurance. Only those measures that contribute directly to making everyday life or care easier are subsidised. These include
- Bathroom remodelling: installation of a floor-level shower, fitting of grab rails, non-slip floor coverings
- Barrier-free entrances: widening doors, permanently installed ramps or converting steps into a ramp
- Stair aids: Installation of a stair lift or second handrails
- Adaptations to living spaces: Removing door thresholds, remodelling the kitchen for wheelchair use
Funding is not available for purely cosmetic or general modernisation measures such as new floor coverings, painting work or a new fitted kitchen with no functional connection to the need for care.
Further funding opportunities and financial aid
In addition to care insurance, there are other support options for barrier-free conversions:
- KfW funding: the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) offers low-interest loans and grants for age-appropriate housing (programme 159).
- Integration assistance and social welfare organisations: People with disabilities can receive support from social welfare organisations or the integration office under certain conditions.
- Regional support programmes: Many federal states, cities or local authorities offer additional funding programmes for barrier-free living.
It is worth finding out about these funding options in advance in order to minimise your own contribution.
Conclusion: home adaptations as an opportunity for more independence
Barrier-free living can make a significant difference to the quality of life of people in need of care. Targeted measures not only maintain independence, but also make care easier. Care insurance offers important financial support of up to €4,180 per measure – but this must be applied for in good time.
It can be challenging for those affected and their relatives to find their way through the jungle of applications and funding options. This is exactly where Viva FamilienService can help: We provide advice on the various options, support with the application process and are on hand to answer any questions about reconciling care and work.
If your employer already works with Viva FamilienService, you are welcome to contact us – we will be happy to help you!