Carinthia raises care home subsidies while developing new funding model

Carinthia is increasing subsidies for nursing homes while it develops a funding model based on their actual costs, ORF reports. Until the new model is ready, the state will provide a higher monthly grant per bed.

The grant will rise to 3,481 euros per bed per month next year, according to health official Beate Prettner of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ). She said the funding was intended to give care home operators financial stability and support quality standards.

The Mavida nursing home in Moosburg is one of 79 such homes in Carinthia. Its 50 employees care for 84 residents, many of whom have dementia. Most residents with dementia are accommodated in single rooms and must pay additional contributions, ORF reported.

The state will also cover the cost of 116 support workers to assist nursing staff. The government hopes that one in five of these workers will later pursue a career in nursing.

Under a legal requirement cited by Prettner, care workers aged 43 and over are entitled to an additional week of annual leave. The planned long-term funding model is intended to reflect actual costs and reduce the high contributions paid by residents.