Round-the-clock care: a method for preserving self-reliance
In Germany, families seeking round-the-clock care for their loved ones are increasingly turning to caregivers from Eastern European countries. Known informally as the "Polish caregiver" model, this approach offers several advantages, including affordability and high availability, often enabling continuous in-home care that might be more difficult to access with local providers or institutional care.
One of the key benefits of this model is the personalized, face-to-face support these caregivers provide. They are expected to have their own accommodation, usually a separate apartment or guest room, equipped with reliable Wi-Fi. Before hiring, caregivers are required to present a medical certificate, resume, references, a criminal record certificate, and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
However, this model is not without its challenges. The potential for emotional toll and burnout on caregivers, cultural and language barriers that may affect communication and care quality, and legal or regulatory challenges including lack of formal recognition and insufficient social protections for migrant caregivers are all concerns. Additionally, this model can lead to isolation of caregivers and limits opportunities for systemic support and respite, increasing stress and health issues for both caregivers and care recipients.
Compared to other models in Germany such as institutional care or digitally assisted monitoring technologies, 24-hour migrant caregiving offers strong personal interaction but may lack professional training or standardized care quality found in formal healthcare settings. Technologies like health monitoring devices carry risks such as privacy invasion, dehumanization of care, and technological errors, which are not issues in personal caregiving but do reduce direct human contact. Institutional care can relieve family burden but may be more costly and less flexible, with less individualized attention.
Reliance on migrant caregivers also externalizes unpaid care work traditionally done within families, with uneven social and financial implications for involved families and migrant workers alike. The emotional and physical strain on caregivers from Poland and Eastern Europe is significant, underscoring the need for better systemic support, fair recognition, and policies that safeguard migrant caregivers’ rights and well-being.
It is crucial to remember that care recipients can expect timely assistance in case of emergencies, and the most crucial aspect when selecting a caregiver is a good rapport between the care recipient and their caregiver due to the close relationship between them. Relatives should also sensitize the person in need of care to the need for rest periods and privacy for the caregiver.
The EU freedom of movement rights and EU enlargements acted as catalysts for the influx of caregivers from Poland and Eastern Europe. This trend is likely to continue, and it is essential to address the challenges and ensure the well-being of both caregivers and care recipients. The balance between affordability, accessibility, and caregiver welfare will continue to be a key consideration in the German care sector.
- The 'Polish caregiver' model, prevalent in Germany, offers advantages like affordability and high availability, providing continuous in-home care that might be challenging with local providers.
- Caregivers from Eastern Europe are expected to have their own accommodation, equipped with reliable Wi-Fi, for the personalized, face-to-face support they offer.
- Before hiring, caregivers are required to present various documents, including a medical certificate, resume, references, a criminal record certificate, and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- The emotional toll and burnout on caregivers, cultural and language barriers, and legal or regulatory challenges are concerns associated with this model.
- Migrant caregivers may experience isolation and limited systemic support, leading to increased stress and health issues for both caregivers and care recipients.
- Compared to institutional care or digitally assisted monitoring technologies, 24-hour migrant caregiving offers strong personal interaction but may lack professional training and standardized care quality.
- Technologies like health monitoring devices carry risks such as privacy invasion, dehumanization of care, and technological errors, reducing direct human contact.
- Institutional care can relieve family burden but may be more costly and less flexible, offering less individualized attention compared to migrant caregiving.
- Reliance on migrant caregivers externalizes unpaid care work, impacting families and migrant workers unevenly, emphasizing the need for better systemic support.
- Care recipients should expect timely assistance in emergencies, and a good rapport between them and their caregiver is crucial due to the close relationship.
- Caregivers need rest periods and privacy; relatives should sensitize the care recipients to this requirement.
- The EU freedom of movement rights and EU enlargements have driven the influx of caregivers from Poland and Eastern Europe, a trend that is likely to continue, requiring ongoing attention to challenges and ensuring the well-being of both caregivers and care recipients.
