Nursing home conditions have worsened significantly
In the lead-up to the Christmas season, the German Association of Care Professions (DBfK) has expressed concern over the worsening situation of professional caregivers, particularly in long-term care facilities. The ongoing challenges include staffing shortages and shortages of protective equipment.
DBfK President Christel Bienstein has highlighted that hospitals are currently fully occupied, and the Christmas season will present a significant challenge due to visitor regulations. Rapid testing options are available, but there is a lack of staff to test all visitors and enforce hygiene rules during the festive period.
The care situation in Germany has deteriorated over the past few weeks, according to DBfK. While FFP2 masks are reportedly available, protective gloves are experiencing noticeable shortages. The strain in caregiving roles generally increases the pressure on maintaining adequate safety measures, especially during winter holidays when infections may spike.
Caregivers are working under challenging conditions, with many falling ill. Bienstein has stated that there is a lack of staff to carry out testing and enforce hygiene rules during the Christmas season. The high stress levels associated with caregiving work during this period also pose a risk to the health of caregivers due to sustained high stress.
The government's reforms on immigration and work permits aim to ease the recruitment of skilled caregivers, but long-term solutions are still needed in staffing and resource provisions. Visitor regulations during the Christmas season are expected to pose a challenge in long-term care, adding to the already strained caregiving workforce.
DBfK President Christel Bienstein has spoken to the "Rheinische Post" about the current care situation, expressing her concerns about the caregivers working at the limit of their endurance and often beyond. The health of caregivers is at risk due to possible infection, as stated by Bienstein.
Sources:
[1] German government invites 60,000 professionals annually to fill job vacancies. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/german-government-invites-60-000-professionals-annually-to-fill-job-vacancies-3030066
[3] Germany's reforms on immigration and work permits. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/themen/immigration-and-work-permits-1592424
[4] Winter holidays and the impact on long-term care facilities. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.dbfk.de/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/2021/winter-ferien-und-die-auswirkungen-auf-die-altenpflege.html
- Other long-term solutions for staffing shortages in the care sector are necessary beyond the government's immigration reforms to ensure the safety and wellness of caregivers.
- The work-place wellness of caregivers is at risk due to their increased mental and physical stress, especially during the Christmas season and winter holidays.
- The German Association of Care Professions advocates for improved medical-conditions and health-and-wellness programs for caregivers, considering the mental-health implications of their challenging jobs.
