According to a survey, the vast majority of Germans would like to be cared for at home and not in a nursing home if they need care. In a representative survey for the German Foundation for Patient Protection, 89 percent stated that they would like to be cared for at home by relatives or nursing staff if necessary. Only 9 percent would prefer a care facility.

In a second survey, the foundation also wanted to know whether those affected would prefer to go to a nursing home in the event of a serious illness that they could no longer be cared for at home or whether they would rather try to get so-called accompanying suicide assistance, i.e. help to kill themselves. According to this survey, 54 percent would opt for a home, and at least 30 percent for assisted suicide. 16 percent answered "don't know" or gave no answer. Both studies were available to the German Press Agency.

Hundreds of thousands of people in need are faced with the decision to spend the last part of their lives in a nursing home every year, said the board of directors of the foundation, Eugen Brysch, of the dpa. With a view to the survey results, he added: "This decision is neither conscious nor free. Because such a change of residence is an absolute emergency and is more of a compulsion."

Brysch accused politicians of failings. "The decision to rather be dead than a nursing home must be a wake-up call for the federal government. Care for the elderly must finally be restructured in a way that is future-proof, generation-fair and respectful of dignity. But so far, there has been lack of administration and political ignorance."

Nursing Home and Home Care Survey Nursing Home and Assisted Suicide Survey