Laumann wants to strengthen home care in the upcoming nursing reform

North Rhine-Westphalia's health minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) is pushing for the upcoming nursing reform to strengthen home care. "For me, the most important thing in all of this is that we focus on home care", he told MDR. 85 percent of all nursing care recipients in Germany are not in...

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2025 December 21 . 8:31 PM

1 min read

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Laumann wants to strengthen home care in the upcoming nursing reform

North Rhine-Westphalia’s Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann is calling for major changes in Germany’s upcoming nursing reform. His focus is on strengthening home care for older adults with long-term needs. The proposed adjustments aim to support those receiving or eligible for outpatient care, along with their unpaid carers and professional providers.

The reform targets three key groups: older adults in lower care grades living at home, their informal caregivers (such as family members), and professional ambulatory staff delivering services in private residences. Laumann stressed that 85% of Germany’s nursing care recipients already live at home rather than in facilities. He argued that without robust home care, proper support for those in need would be at risk.

Laumann also made clear that any changes to care dependency levels under the reform will not apply retroactively. The adjustments are set to roll out as part of the next federal care reform cycle, with law proposals and implementation planned for 2025–2026. According to the minister, home care remains the preferred choice for most people, reinforcing the need for better resources in this area. The planned measures will cover nationwide home-based care settings. They aim to address gaps in support for both paid and unpaid carers, ensuring more sustainable care for those who rely on it daily.

The reform’s focus on home care reflects the reality that most care recipients in Germany live outside institutions. By targeting lower care grades and informal support networks, the changes intend to secure better long-term assistance. Implementation is expected to begin in 2025, with the goal of improving care quality for thousands of households.