Understanding care
Caregiving can sometimes be complicated. On this page, we explain various topics and terms related to caregiving. They are listed in alphabetical order. We also answer any questions you may have. We’ll also tell you where you can find additional support.
Intercultural Bridge-Builders in Nursing
The Bridge Builders support and assist people with a migration background with any questions they may have about long-term care.
Who are the bridge-builders?
The Bridge Builders support, advise, and assist people with a history of migration with any questions they may have about long-term care.
What languages do the bridge builders speak?
They speak 17 different languages:
- German
- Arabic
- English
- French
- Farsi
- Russian
- Kurdish (Sorani and Kurmanji)
- Dari
- Bosnian
- Croatian
- Romanian
- Serbian
- Spanish
- Turkish
- Polish
- Vietnamese
What do bridge builders do?
The Bridge Builders:
- answer questions,
- provide information,
- explain the support services available,
- accompany you during a long-term care assessment,
- help you find the right support.
The consultation is free of charge.
Why Do the Bridge Builders Exist?
The bridge builders help people to
- To better understand care,
- to find the right support,
- to navigate the help system.
Who do the bridge builders support?
This service is for people with a migration background.
Age is not a factor.
You can also seek advice even if you don’t need care yet.
Where can I reach the bridge builders?
The bridge builders are working:
- at Berlin care centers,
- in all of Berlin’s districts,
- in collaboration with other experts.
You can support the women who build bridges:
- meet in person,
- call,
- send an email
- talk via video over the Internet.
How and when can I contact the bridge builders?
When?
Availability by phone:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Thursday: 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
If you call outside of these hours, you can leave a message.
How can you get in touch?
Phone:
030 695 17 823
Medical service (MD)
If you have submitted an application for a long-term care level, the Medical Service (MD) will visit you at home to assess how you are managing there. This is also known as an MD assessment. Here, we answer the most important questions so that you are well prepared for the assessment.
What is the Medical Service (MD)?
The Medical Service is known as the MD for short. The MD works for the statutory long-term care insurance and health insurance. The MD checks how independent a person is in everyday life. The MD says which level of care is best suited.
What are the responsibilities of the Medical Service (MD)?
The MD has two important tasks:
1. Check the care level:
If you would like to receive care, you must submit an application. An assessor from the MD will then visit you at home. The assessor will evaluate your level of independence using the New Assessment Tool, which is a type of questionnaire. During the assessment, the assessor will evaluate, for example:
– Can you get around on your own?
– Can you speak and remember?
– Can you wash and dress yourself?
– Can you plan your own day?
You earn points for your answers. The points determine which care level you are assigned.
2. Quality Checks:
The MD also visits home care services and nursing homes. The MD checks to see if everything is being done correctly there. The MD verifies that the care provided complies with the rules.
What is an MD assessment?
The MD assesses how much care a person needs. That’s what’s called an assessment. An appraiser will come to your home. The evaluator will assess how independent you are in your daily life. The result helps determine the appropriate care level. Good preparation is important.
How do I schedule an appointment for an MD evaluation?
You are applying for a care level. The long-term care insurance fund assigns a medical examiner. An assessor will call or send a letter to schedule an appointment. You can reschedule the appointment if you can’t make it. At the appointment, the assessor will come to your home.
What happens during the MD assessment?
The assessor speaks with the person in need of care. A caregiver may also be present. The assessor asks about the person’s daily routine. He or she asks what you need help with. They also observe how you move and what you can can do on your own.
The appraiser or the female appraiser takes notes.
In the end A report is being written the expert writes a report and strikes oneen Care Level Beforebeaten.
The long-term care insurance fund will then make the decision.
How long does an MD assessment take?
The visit usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Be sure to allow enough time.
Hustle and bustle isn’t good.
What areas does the appraiser examine?
The expert reviews six key areas. These areas are called “modules.”
Module 1: Mobility (10 percent)
We’ll assess how well you move in bed, while sitting, and around your home.
For example: getting up, walking, climbing stairs.
Module 2: Thinking and Speaking (15 percent*)
Checks whether you can recognize people and orient yourself. For example: Do you know what day it is? Do you have a good memory? Can you express your wishes and concerns?
Module 3: Behavior and Psychological Stress (15 percent*)
Think about how often you feel anxious, restless, or sad. Or whether you sometimes feel like running away or yelling at others.
(*) Note: For Modules 2 and 3, only the one with the higher weighting counts.
Module 4: Self-Sufficiency (40 percent)
This test assesses how well you can wash yourself, get dressed, eat, and drink.
Also: Can you go to the bathroom on your own, or do you need help?
Can you cope with incontinence?
This module is particularly important.
Module 5: Dealing with Illnesses (20 percent)
Here, the evaluator will assess whether you are able to take your own medication or care for your own wounds.
Do you need help going to the doctor or putting on stockings?
Module 6: Daily Life and Social Interactions (15 percent)
Here, we’ll assess whether you can manage your daily routine on your own.
Do you have contact with other people?
Do you do activities on your own?
How can I prepare for the MD assessment?
The MD will send you a letter letting you know when he’s coming.
Please have all the necessary documents ready.
These include:
– Medical reports,
– Lists of your medications,
– Hospital reports,
– Your Care Journal
Ask someone you trust to be there with you.
This could be a family member who provides care or another significant other.
This will help the evaluator better understand your situation.
What should I do during the MD review?
Be honest. Don’t exaggerate, and don’t hide any problems.
Many people try too hard during a visit. Don’t do that!
Tell them what you find difficult on bad days.
Ask for clarification if there’s something you don’t understand.
Your caregiver can add anything that was left out.
Important Note:
Many people say, “I can still manage,” even though they need help in their daily lives.
Please describe honestly where you need help.
Assessment Checklist
- Did you keep a care journal?
- Have your doctor’s notes and prescriptions arrived?
- Did you invite someone you trust to the appointment?
- Are assistive devices available?
- Have you taken notes on difficult situations?
- Have you written down any important phone numbers (e.g., your doctor’s)?
- Have you thought of any questions to ask the expert?
This way, you’ll be well prepared for the MD review.
What happens next after the MD review?
The assessor will write a report. The long-term care insurance fund will determine your care level. You will receive the report by mail, or you can request it and read it carefully. Compare the results with your own observations. If you disagree, you can file an appeal.
Here’s what you need to do in a month.
If you have any questions, a care support center near you can assist you.
Here you will find an explanatory video about the care support centers (as of July 2026: available in German, Turkish, Arabic, and sign language).
Here you will find a map showing the locations of the care centers.
The MD assessment is conducted in German. Who can help me with an MD assessment in another language?
Many people feel more comfortable speaking their native language—which is not German—because they can express themselves better in it. The Intercultural Bridge Builders in long-term care can be present during the MD assessment to translate and answer questions. On our “Find Support” page, you ’ll find more information about the Intercultural Bridge Builders.
More information in various languages
On this page from the Medical Service (MD), you will find explanatory videos (in German) and information (in German, easy-to-read language, English, Polish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian, French, Greek, Italian, and Croatian).
Degree of care
To get support in everyday life, you need a care degree.
To get a care degree, you must submit an application.
What does a care level mean?
A care level shows how much help a person needs. Some people are old or ill. They need help in everyday life. For example, when washing or getting dressed. Or they cannot alone eat. They then receive a care level. There are five care levels:
- Care level 1 means: You need little help.
- Care level 5 means that you need a lot of help.
The care degree helps you to get support. For example, money or a carer. Anyone can apply for a care degree. You must submit an application to the care insurance fund. Then an assessor will come comes and checks what you can do in everyday life. The care insurance fund then decides on your care level.
You will receive a notification. You can then receive help or money.
When do I need a care degree?
Here are a few sample questions to help you determine whether you need a care level: Are you no longer able to do your grocery shopping on your own? Do you have trouble getting dressed? Are you no longer able to eat on your own? Do you find it difficult to climb the stairs?
If youanswered “yes” to these questions, you may need a care level. The care level ensures that you receive professional assistance (care) with your daily activities. For example, help with grocery shopping or getting dressed.
How do I submit an application?
You submit this application to your care insurance fund:
- Statutory health insurance: Your long-term care insurance fund is the same as your health insurance fund. So submit the application to your health insurance fund.
- Private insurance: Your private compulsory long-term care insurance (PPV). You submit the application there.
Who can help me with the application?
If you need help with the application and/or have further questions, you can contact the Intercultural Bridge Builders in Nursing Care or the Berlin Care Support Centers . You can find more information about these resources on our “Find Support” page.