Caregiving is a valuable task—and at the same time, one of the greatest burdens people can take on. Those who care for a relative or friend bear a great deal of responsibility: organizing daily life, providing physical support, and providing emotional closeness. Thousands of people in Berlin perform this work every day. Some care for their parents, others their partners, and still others—especially in the LGBTIQ* community—are involved in chosen families.
But the challenges are as diverse as the caregiving constellations. Many caregivers reach their limits, whether due to a lack of breaks, financial strain, or the feeling of being left alone with their worries. This is precisely where relief services come in. They help make everyday life easier and maintain health and quality of life – for both those receiving care and those providing it.
Why relief for family caregivers and relatives in care in Berlin is essential
Studies show that family caregivers are the backbone of care in Germany. Over 80 percent of all people in need of care are cared for at home—often by family members or close friends alone. This responsibility brings with it enormous stress.
The consequences can be serious: Many caregivers report exhaustion, sleep disturbances, back pain, or bouts of depression. The risk of being overwhelmed is particularly high in queer chosen families, where often only a few people shoulder the caregiving burden. Therefore, it's crucial to accept support in a timely manner—not waiting until your energy levels are already depleted.
👉 The specialist office for family caregivers | Berlin offers initial orientation
What relief options are available in Berlin?
Berlin offers a broad network of support services that can provide significant relief to relatives and adopted families: Relief for family caregivers and relatives in care in Berlin can include:
Everyday help
Practical support around the house or with errands makes everyday life easier. Cleaning, cooking, shopping, or accompanying loved ones to doctor's appointments are activities that demand a lot of time and energy from family members. Professional everyday assistance, such as that offered by AlleFarben Alltagshilfe , is billable through the long-term care insurance fund – for example, with the relief amount of €131.
👉 You can find out more about this in our everyday assistance services .
Preventative care
If family caregivers become ill themselves or need a break, the long-term care insurance covers the costs of substitute care. This allows caregivers to take a vacation or recover without jeopardizing the provision of care.
Day and short-term care
Some Berlin facilities offer temporary care—by the hour, by the day, or for a few weeks. This gives family members the flexibility to attend appointments or simply take a break.
Care advice
Care counseling (Section 7a) helps you understand benefits and optimally combine them. It clarifies which benefits are available, supports you with applications, and ensures that no benefits are lost.
LGBTIQ* perspective: Making chosen families visible
Queer seniors often face different life realities than their heterosexual peers. Many live without children or traditional family structures. Instead, chosen families, friends, or neighbors take on caregiving responsibilities. These networks are valuable—but not always visible in the care system.
For LGBTIQ* seniors, relief also means queer-sensitive support that respects their life story. Discrimination or misunderstandings should not be an obstacle. Berlin has a lot to offer in this area – from gay counseling projects to associations like RUT to cultural and counseling centers like the Sonntags-Club.
Important addresses in Berlin
To provide relatives and chosen families with concrete points of contact, here is a selection of queer projects and counseling centers:
One of the largest LGBTIQ* organizations in Europe, it offers queer-sensitive care, housing projects, counseling, and practical support for seniors.
A Germany-wide platform that brings together information and services on queer-sensitive care – also helpful for Berlin seniors and their families.
A long-established association that supports lesbian, bisexual, and queer women*. It offers meeting places, advice, and support for older people, including caregiving issues.
A queer cultural and counseling center in Prenzlauer Berg. It creates spaces for encounters, counseling, and community – including for older LGBTIQ* people.
This diversity shows that relief is not just a question of money or care services, but also of community and recognition .
Conclusion: Accepting help is strength
Caregivers and adopted families do a wonderful job—but no one should bear this burden alone. Relief means sharing responsibility and protecting one's own health.
There are numerous options for this in Berlin: from everyday assistance to respite care to queer-sensitive counseling centers. Those who take advantage of these options ensure that care remains a shared and sustainable path – for seniors, relatives, and adopted families.
👉 You can get support from our care advice (§ 7a) , the everyday help services or directly via our contact page .
