Nursing and care homes

Retirement homes, also known as senior citizens' homes, are designed for older people who are still largely independent. If necessary, residents of these facilities receive support with basic care needs.

Nursing care homes, on the other hand, are intended for people who require round-the-clock care and medical attention.

The services offered by nursing care homes in Austria vary greatly. Some nursing care homes have medical staff on duty at all times, while others specialise in specific areas such as dementia, persistent vegetative state, or palliative care.
 

The prerequisite for admission to a nursing home is the need for care. Away Care allowance level 4 there is usually an increased need for care. In such cases, admission to a nursing home can usually be justified.

People with care allowance level 3 are sometimes also entitled to care if they can no longer lead an independent and independent life.

The amount of home costs varies greatly in Austria and depends on the federal state, the facilities and the care required. Whether it is a public, denominational or private home also plays a role in the costs.

The costs for a place in a nursing home usually consist of one Basic amount and a care allowance together. The care allowance is based on the level of care or the amount of the care allowance.

For more information about costs, please contact the nursing home of your choice. You can often find information about nursing home costs online. To do this, enter the desired nursing home in the information service search and look for the word “cost amount” in the offer description. 

The residents themselves bear the costs for a place in a retirement or nursing home Care allowance, pension, pension and other income of the person in need of care used.

A small part of the income remains as pocket money for the person in need of care. This is 20% of the pension and 10% of the nursing allowance.

If your income is not enough, social assistance will cover the remaining amount.

After the care recourse was abolished in 2018, the state is no longer allowed to access the private assets of the person in need of care or their relatives.

To plan well, find out early on which nursing homes are suitable and what services they offer. 

Depending on the region and facility, there are different waiting times for a nursing home place. If there is a high level of urgency, a nursing home place can be available more quickly. Otherwise, the waiting time can last from a few weeks to several months - especially if it is a specific nursing home. Nursing homes vary greatly in terms of equipment, costs and specializations. For example, some nursing homes specialize in dementia or palliative care.

The best thing to do is visit several nursing homes at once and find out about costs, waiting lists and available places. Also make sure that you have all the necessary documents such as the care allowance notice, medical reports or financial information ready.

Depending on the nursing home provider, you may need to submit an application before admission. You must also enclose evidence of your need for care and your financial circumstances.

To be admitted to a nursing home, there is no legal requirement to have your primary residence in the same district or federal state.

Important: The district administration of your previous main residence is responsible for any subsidies to your own income. In Lower Austria, for example, the responsible district authority at the main residence decides whether costs will be covered. 
This means: You can change your place of residence - but the primary responsibility for covering costs initially depends on your place of residence before moving home. 
 

Yes. In principle, it is possible to freely choose a nursing home across federal states. There is no legal obligation to place your residence in the state in which you last lived. 
However, the following are crucial:

• free places,
• organizational processes of the respective nursing home provider,
• and in the case of later assumption of social assistance costs: which federal state is financially responsible.

The responsibility often depends on the main residence before moving into the home, because the district authority or the magistrate of the previous place of residence is responsible for cost subsidies. It therefore makes sense to clarify your plan with both federal states.

In short: No, there is no legal provision for compulsory admission to a nursing home. A move in is only possible with the consent of the person concerned. If she is no longer able to make decisions, she needs a legally authorized or court-appointed adult representative. Allowed here too no free opposing one Will be recognizable. Moving home “against your will” is therefore excluded.

The procedures vary depending on the federal state, but follow similar principles everywhere:

1. You choose a nursing home.
2. Then contact the nursing home
3. You then submit an application for membership.
4. They demonstrate the need for care.
5. Your financial situation will be checked.
6. The decision is made by the locally responsible authority, such as the district administration or the magistrate.