Saxony's care finances in a state of emergency: Who pays for older citizens?

Saxony's care finances in a state of emergency: Who pays for older citizens?

Today is November 11, 2025, and in Saxony the social budgets of the municipalities are facing a huge challenge. The L-IZ reports that help with care is increasingly becoming a financial burden. More and more older people are unable to finance care places themselves, which means that care costs are constantly rising. This means that for many people the costs far exceed their own wages and pensions.

In 2024, there were already 23,910 people in Saxony who were dependent on financial support from the social welfare office to cover their care costs. Susanne Schaper, the chairwoman of the left-wing faction in the Saxon state parliament, spoke out in this context and called for fairer financing of care. Their idea: a solidarity-based participation of people with higher incomes and assets in financing care.

Suggestions to improve the situation

Schaper suggests converting the current long-term care insurance into full insurance in which all incomes pay in fairly. This could significantly improve the situation, especially since the own contributions for nursing homes in Saxony are approaching the 3,000 euro mark. If pensions are inadequate, family members often have to step in or you have no choice but to seek help from the social welfare office.

Schaper makes it clear that it is unacceptable for people to become welfare cases after a long working life. A crucial point in their demands is the reduction of their own contributions. This includes the Free State covering investment and training costs for home operators. She also suggests that Saxony should work within the federal government to cap personal contributions, thereby advancing the goal of fairer and more solidarity-based care with full insurance.

Demographic change and its consequences

But it's not just financing that's the problem. Demographic change also has a massive impact on nursing. Loud Care shortage in Germany the number of older people is increasing significantly. With them, the need for care and intensive medical care also increases. At the same time, many older nursing staff are retiring, which further exacerbates the situation.

The challenges in nursing professions should not be underestimated. The lack of young talent and the high dropout rate during training contribute to the career profile becoming less attractive for young people. This could mean that the staffing situation in nursing will remain tense in the coming years.

The current situation in nursing requires quick action. If the demands of Susanne Schaper and other decision-makers are taken seriously, the situation could at least partially improve and many people in Saxony could receive appropriate care.