Caregiving is a task that requires dedication, organization, and strength. Whether it's partners, friends, or neighbors, many people take responsibility for those in need of care in their community. In Berlin, this includes numerous foster families, who play a special role in the LGBTIQ* community.

But when you support others, it's easy to forget to take care of yourself. Self-care is therefore not a luxury, but a prerequisite for good care. It protects loved ones from exhaustion and gives them the strength to be there for the long term.

Why self-care is so important

Relatives and family members provide the majority of care. Studies show that more than 80% of those receiving care in Germany are cared for at home. Often, it is not traditional family structures but chosen families and circles of friends who take on the responsibility – especially in the LGBTIQ* community.

The stress is high: sleep problems, physical ailments, depression, or social isolation often occur. This is where self-care comes in: It means taking your own needs seriously and consciously creating time for breaks, joy, and support.

1. Breaks in everyday life

Caregiving requires a lot of attention, but small breaks help maintain strength. A short walk through Volkspark Friedrichshain, a break at a local café, or a few minutes of meditation can make all the difference.

👉 You can find practical tips for managing stress at the BZgA – Staying healthy in old age .

2. Enjoy queer culture and community

For many LGBTIQ* people and their families, community is a central anchor. Self-care can mean consciously integrating queer culture and encounters into everyday life:

• An evening at SchwuZ at a drag show brings joy, humor and a sense of belonging.

• The Sunday Club offers readings, culture, and exchange in a safe environment.

• RUT – Rat und Tat eV creates spaces specifically for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women* – also with a view to aging and care.

These places are more than just leisure activities: they offer support, visibility and community.

3. Accept support

Self-care also means not carrying everything alone. Berlin offers numerous support options:

• Everyday help : shopping, accompaniment, household – financed via the relief amount of 131 euros .

• Respite care : When relatives and friends are ill or need rest.

• Day and short-term care: Temporary care creates freedom and security.

👉 The Berlin care support points offer advice on this .

4. Strengthen physical health

Those who provide care need strength themselves. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and preventative care are crucial. Self-care for family members and loved ones providing care for LGBTIQ people in Berlin offers many options:

• Sports activities for seniors and their families in community centers.

• Yoga in Gleisdreieck Park or gymnastics groups in community centers.

• Healthy eating: weekly markets, cooking classes, and health insurance consultations.

👉 Information on nutrition in old age and for caregivers is available from the BZgA – Health in Old Age .

5. Seek exchange

Talking relieves stress. Sharing worries makes you feel less alone. In Berlin, there are:

• Discussion groups for relatives and friends at welfare organizations.

• Specialized groups for relatives of people with dementia at the Alzheimer Society Berlin .

• Queer discussion opportunities at the Sunday Club or at RUT.

Especially in chosen families, it is important to have an exchange – also in order to reflect on one’s own roles and boundaries.

6. Accept psychological help

Sometimes breaks and sharing aren't enough. That's when professional help is essential. In Berlin, there are psychotherapists who specialize in counseling for family members—many of whom also work with LGBTIQ* sensitivity.

👉 One contact point for your search is the Berlin Chamber of Psychotherapists .

Conclusion: Self-care is care for relatives and friends in care in Berlin - LGBTIQ 🌈

Caregiving shouldn't be detrimental to one's own health. Relatives and loved ones do a great job, but no one can be there for others permanently without taking breaks and receiving support themselves.

Berlin offers a wide range of options: parks and cultural spaces for short breaks, queer community spaces for a sense of belonging, and professional support for relief. Self-care means maintaining one's own strength – in the service of good, dignified care.

👉 You can find personal support through our care advice (§ 7a) , our everyday assistance services or via our contact page .