Over 1,700 Workers Equipped as Care Guides - Over 1,700 employees now equipped as nursing supervisors
In the German state of Thuringia, a unique programme aimed at helping employees manage their caregiving responsibilities for dependent relatives has been in operation since 2016.
The State Development Corporation (LEG) is responsible for training care navigators, who act as voluntary points of contact for employees with dependent relatives. These care navigators are instrumental in supporting employees in balancing their work and care responsibilities.
The role of care navigators is multifaceted. They facilitate contact with relevant points of contact for caregivers, provide information on support services for caregivers, and help employees maintain a balance between work and care responsibilities.
The training of care navigators is conducted by LEG, and as of the end of 2023, approximately 1,700 professionals have been trained as care navigators in companies across Thuringia.
The high proportion of dependent people in Thuringia who are cared for exclusively by relatives is a significant factor. More than half of these dependent people - 105,000 - are cared for exclusively at home by relatives. This situation puts a strain on both the caregivers and the companies they work for, particularly in the context of the shortage of skilled workers.
To address this issue, companies in Thuringia are dependent on retaining these employees. The care navigator programme is intended to help these employees maintain a balance between their work and care responsibilities.
In addition to LEG, other organisations such as AOK Plus and Barmer health insurance company also offer this service in Thuringia. AOK Plus is planning another care navigator course to start in September, further expanding the programme's reach.
However, specific information about the existence, implementation, effectiveness, or evaluation of such a programme in Thuringia companies starting from 2016 is not readily available. For detailed, up-to-date insight into this program, it is recommended to consult local government or regional health and social service agencies in Thuringia, corporate HR or occupational health departments of Thuringian companies, or academic or policy research focused on workplace caregiving support programmes in Germany or specifically the Thuringia region.
- To foster a healthier and more productive work environment in the face of the caregiving burden, Thuringian companies are exploring innovative approaches, such as integrating social security measures, science-based workplace-wellness strategies, and health-and-wellness initiatives, like the care navigator programme, to support employees balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.
- As the demand for effective caregiving support solutions in the workplace continues to grow, the care navigator programme, initially launched in 2016 in Thuringia, is expected to become a cornerstone of social security measures, complementing scientific advancements and comprehensive wellness interventions for the benefit of both employees and employers alike.
