Call the emergency care number - Hamburg's emergency care hotline is well received
Many people are cared for at home by family, friends, and acquaintances. However, if these caregivers suddenly become unavailable, it can have serious consequences for those in need of care. To prevent this from happening, Hamburg has a so-called Care Hotline. Since the beginning of the year, relatives and caregivers can call this number 24/7 to request spontaneous support.
The service seems to be in high demand: By June, over 430 people had called the hotline, operated by the city, during weekdays alone, according to the social welfare office. In 24 cases, the German Red Cross (DRK) was dispatched to transport people to one of the four short-term care facilities in the city.
The hotline is staffed by DRK professionals in the evenings, nights, and weekends. The team receives around 50 calls per month, according to Christian Specht, head of the DRK's home and care hotline department. "That's about one to two calls per night, and it's increasing. It could be that there will be significantly more in a few months."
DRK satisfied with offer and demand
"We can draw a positive conclusion so far." It's generally a good thing that this number exists. "We've noticed that there's a need for short-term care advice and short-term care." The DRK took on the task of the care hotline because it already has a comprehensive network of care and social services across Hamburg.
The staff can often provide helpful advice over the phone. Whether it's sudden overwhelm for the caregiving spouse, medical emergencies for the helpers, or uncertainty about the right acute care - "we assess the care situation and decide whether the person in need of care can stay at home or if immediate home care is necessary," said Specht. "With short-term care, we can support patients and relatives."
The offer of emergency short-term care is only for people living in Hamburg and for those who are not yet supported by a social station.
Hamburg with a unique offer nationwide
Hamburg is well-positioned with this care hotline offer, said Specht. "There's no comparable offer in any other major city. It's a good project that Hamburg can be proud of."
It's unique nationwide that practical help can be provided immediately thanks to the care hotline, added a spokesperson for the social welfare office. However, if the number of calls continues to increase, the offer of short-term care places may also need to be expanded, said Specht.
Information about the care hotline from the city of Hamburg
The Commission overseeing this unique care hotline in Hamburg is none other than the DRK's home and care hotline department, headed by Christian Specht. Due to the high demand for the hotline's services, The Commission is considering expanding its short-term care placements to accommodate the increasing number of calls.
