Expansion of Brandenburg's healthcare agreement - Broadening its care agreement, Brandenburg makes strides ahead
Brandenburg Introduces Pact for Care 2.0 to Enhance Home Care Services
In response to the growing demand for care driven by demographic changes and increased chronic illnesses, especially palliative care needs, the state of Brandenburg has announced the Pact for Care 2.0. This comprehensive regional response aims to improve care infrastructure, expand home-based care options, and enhance the availability and capacity of Care Support Centres locally.
The Pact for Care 2.0 emphasises enhancing care provision through coordinated regional strategies that improve access to both institutional and home-based care. It supports care at home initiatives, recognising that many patients prefer or require home care, which helps manage costs and improves quality of life.
One of the key elements of the Pact for Care 2.0 is the expansion of Care Support Centres. These centres provide targeted assistance, information, and coordination services for patients and families, playing a critical role in navigating care options and ensuring timely access to services.
Brandenburg Health Minister Britta Müller stated that the number of people requiring care in old age is rising. To address this, the Pact for Care 2.0 includes a central element known as "Care at Home". As of 2023, more than 214,000 people in Brandenburg are in need of care, representing a 16% increase since 2021.
Counties and independent cities in Brandenburg can each receive up to 180,000 euros per year, a 30,000 euros increase from previous funding. Smaller communities will also benefit from a uniform basic amount of 20,000 euros starting from 2026. These funds will support the expansion of care services and make them more accessible.
The goal of the Pact for Care 2.0 is to enable people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, and to relieve personnel-intensive stationary care. This is particularly important as over 89% of all people in need of care are cared for at home in Brandenburg.
The new guidelines, named "Care at Home" and "Expansion and Further Development of Care Support Centres", came into effect on 1st July 2025. These measures are part of a broader strategy that also considers external pressures such as climate-related health risks, which are increasing care needs among vulnerable groups, including the elderly population in Brandenburg.
References:
[1] Brandenburg Demographic Report, 2023 [2] Brandenburg Care Demand Study, 2022 [3] Brandenburg Climate and Health Report, 2022
- The community policy, Pact for Care 2.0, is designed to boost home care services, addressing the rising demand due to demographic shifts and increased chronic illnesses.
- This regional response aims to enhance the care infrastructure, expanding home-based care and increasing the capacity of Care Support Centres.
- The Pact for Care 2.0 prioritizes improving access to both institutional and home-based care through coordinated regional strategies.
- In Brandenburg, many patients prefer or require home care to manage costs and enhance quality of life.
- The expansion of Care Support Centres is a crucial component of the Pact for Care 2.0, offering targeted assistance, information, and coordination services.
- Brandenburg Health Minister Britta Müller highlighted that the number of elderly requiring care is increasing substantially.
- In response, the Pact for Care 2.0 includes a significant focus on "Care at Home", with over 214,000 people in Brandenburg in need of care as of 2023.
- Each county and independent city in Brandenburg can receive up to 180,000 euros per year, a 30,000 euros increase from earlier funding.
- Smaller communities will also benefit from a uniform basic amount of 20,000 euros starting from 2026.
- These funds will support the growth of care services, making them more accessible to the community.
- The goal of the Pact for Care 2.0 is to enable individuals to stay in their homes for as long as possible, relieving personnel-intensive stationary care.
- Over 89% of all people in Brandenburg requiring care are cared for at home, making home care a significant aspect of the region's healthcare framework.
- New guidelines named "Care at Home" and "Expansion and Further Development of Care Support Centres" were introduced on 1st July 2025.
- Climate-related health risks and their impact on vulnerable groups, including the elderly population in Brandenburg, are another aspect considered in the Pact for Care 2.0.
- Science plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing the growing demand for care and the impact of climate change on healthcare.
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