Service Living

Service living is defined as a form of living that lies between home care and institutional care. The goal of this living alternative is to ensure as much independent living as possible in one's own, senior-friendly designed apartment, including basic services (usually emergency call systems and the mediation of help and care services), with additional optional service and care offerings available if needed. This form of living can delay or, in some cases, even prevent institutional care and simultaneously supports the desire of those in need of care for home-based support. Depending on the provider, the design of service living can vary greatly. The offerings range from barrier-free apartments with minimal support to a wide variety of support options as optional services.

The advantages of service living are:

• Maintaining one's independence

• The apartment meets the special requirements and needs of older age

• Help can be accessed easily when needed

• People of similar age with similar interests live in the immediate vicinity

The costs of service living generally consist of base rent, operating or ancillary costs, a small care fee for the basic service, and costs for optional services depending on usage. There are significant differences in the cost levels among providers located in the Oberberg district. Agreements exist with individual providers as social assistance providers to cover uncovered costs if necessary. Applications for covering uncovered costs are processed by the cities and municipalities as part of basic income support.