The onset of a need for care often leads to significant uncertainty, as it typically happens suddenly and without preparation. A fall, a diagnosis of an illness, or simply realizing that parents or relatives can no longer care for themselves disrupts daily life and raises many questions.
Here, we provide information and links to support networks.
If you have any questions or would like personalized guidance, please feel free to contact us.
Care Leave and Family Care Leave Act
The Family Care Leave Act supports relatives in balancing caregiving responsibilities with work. Employees can reduce their working hours for up to 24 months to care for a close family member.
Further information can be found on the pages of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth, as well as in the brochure “Improved Reconciliation of Family, Care, and Work.”
The Federal Ministry of Health’s flyer, “In Need of Care—What Now?” provides a brief summary with information and an initial overview of contacts and the various care levels.
Here you’ll find a table summarizing the options for taking leave or reducing working hours while caring for a relative.
Ways to Care
People who can assist you with advice and support on the topic of caregiving can be found on the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth’s “Ways to Care” website.
A guide for home care is also provided by the German Statutory Accident Insurance: “Caring at Home—How to Make It Work.”
Care Leave for Students
Balancing studies and caregiving responsibilities for a close relative can be challenging, and rigid study requirements can add to the strain.
To help you study more flexibly and individually during this time, you can apply to have caregiving periods taken into account for resubmission and registration deadlines. This allows you to continue your studies while the calculation of deadlines for examinations and coursework is suspended during this period.
You can submit an informal request to have caregiving periods taken into account for resubmission and registration deadlines directly to your respective examination committee.
A proof of caregiving responsibility is required, which can be provided by the family doctor of the relative in need of care. Please ask your examination committeefor specific details on the required documentation.
You also have the option to temporarily pause your studies due to caregiving responsibilities by applying for a leave of absance semester.
Pause Button: A Portal for Young Carers
The Pause Button initiative is aimed at children, adolescents, and young adults who care for their families. The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth provides advice, tips, and opportunities for networking through its website.
Contact Campus Kammgarn & Pirmasens
Mitarbeiterin Stabsstelle Diversitätsmanagement, Behindertenbeauftragte für Studierende
- +49 631 3724-4477laura.wiemer(at)hs-kl(dot)de
- Campus Kaiserslautern
- Room F0032
Contact Campus Zweibrücken & Pirmasens
Mitarbeiterin Stabsstelle Diversitätsmanagement, Behindertenbeauftragte für Studierende, Gleichstellungsbeauftragte
- +49 631 3724-5529isabell.lobert(at)hs-kl(dot)de
- Campus Zweibrücken
- Room C104
Dementia
Dementia (from the Latin, meaning “away from the mind/without mind”) is a collective term for various diseases that impair cognitive abilities—such as perception and thinking—due to changes in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common and well-known form of dementia, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all cases.
Currently, dementia affects 1.8 million people in Germany, according to the German Alzheimer Society, and the trend is rising. The disease often develops gradually, bringing numerous challenges for those affected and their families.
The central online portal “Wegweiser Demenz” offers easy-to-understand information and advice, and promotes consultation, networking, and exchange through various internet forums and a weblog. Users can actively participate in a forum moderated by experts and ask questions about dementia.
The German Alzheimer Society is committed to improving life with dementia. It supports and advises people with dementia and their families, raises public awareness about the condition, and serves as an independent contact point for the media, professional associations, and research.
Demenzhilfe Deutschland supports recognizing dementia and organizing life with dementia.
The Demenz Partner initiative aims to educate about dementia and raise awareness of the needs of people with dementia and their families. Additionally, it offers courses on dementia, both online and in person.