More short-term care places in MV: 4.4 million euros investment!

More short-term care places in MV: 4.4 million euros investment!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, something is happening in short-term care because the situation was classified as inadequate. There are currently only 722 short-term care places in the entire state. Of these, 130 places are available in specially designated facilities and 592 places in nursing homes as interspersed short-term care. The Ministry of Social Affairs is now getting serious and is planning a comprehensive investment program to close these gaps. This program will start from August 1, 2025 to the end of 2026 and will be funded with a total of 4.4 million euros, as the Borkener Zeitung reports.

The plan envisages creating up to 50 new short-term care places, which could be a great relief for many relatives. Funding of between 80,000 and 100,000 euros per new place is planned. This applies in particular to new construction, expansion and conversion measures in existing facilities.

Background and needs

The need to strengthen such offerings is no coincidence. There are currently around 140,000 people in need of care in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. What is particularly striking is that almost nine out of ten of these people are cared for in a family environment and often have to get by without the support of outpatient services. The pressure on caring relatives is enormous, as they often have to work beyond their own strengths, according to the [government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania](https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/wm/Aktuell/?id=213049&processor=processor.sa.press release).

The situation has changed drastically in recent years. In 2021, the number of people in need of care was still 123,000, an increase of a full 14 percent to almost 140,000 by the end of 2023. These demographic changes require innovative solutions to meet increasing demand.

Statistical basics

A comprehensive database is essential for the planning and further development of care offerings. According to the Statistics from the Federal Statistical Office, not only those in need of care who receive care allowance benefits are recorded, but also all relevant information about facilities and their staff are collected. This data is crucial in order to obtain a complete picture of nursing care and to plan the necessary measures accordingly.

The investment program that is now underway could play a decisive role in overcoming the challenges in the care sector and thus improve the quality of life of many people. Short-term care places are particularly important in transition phases, such as after hospital stays or to relieve the burden on caring relatives. It remains to be hoped that the new measures will be fruitful and provide lasting support for the affected families in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.