The role of family caregivers in Switzerland

Caring for relatives as a family member

In Switzerland, family caregivers play a central role in the healthcare system by looking after and supporting family members in need. This task involves many challenges, but also brings deep personal fulfilment and closeness. In this article, we shed light on the many aspects of family caregiving, offer helpful tips and present support services that can make caregivers’ everyday lives easier.

Everyday challenges for family caregivers

Caring for someone close to you brings numerous challenges. It starts with time management: combining care tasks with your own everyday life can be difficult and often requires careful planning. On top of this comes the emotional strain felt by many family caregivers. The constant pressure and responsibility can lead to stress, anxiety or even depression. The physical effort involved in caregiving should not be underestimated either. Lifting or moving the person in need of care in particular can be physically very demanding and show you your own limits.

To cope with these challenges, it is important to pay attention to your own needs and allow yourself breaks. Effective stress management measures, such as meditation, breathing exercises or exchanging experiences with other family caregivers in self-help groups, as well as nurses, can help reduce the emotional burden.

What does it mean to be a family caregiver?

A family caregiver is someone who regularly looks after someone close to them in everyday life – whether due to old age, illness or a disability. This role has many facets and covers a wide range of tasks. These include physical support, such as help with dressing, eating, washing or getting around. Medical care is also very important: this includes monitoring medication, accompanying the person to doctor’s appointments or supporting therapeutic measures.

But it is not just about practical help. Family caregivers also provide emotional support. They offer comfort, listen and stand by the person psychologically – which is essential for the well-being of the person in need of care.

Despite all the care for your relative, it is crucial not to lose sight of your own health and well-being. Caregiving can be both physically and emotionally draining. It is completely normal to sometimes feel overwhelmed, unsure or even angry. What matters is that you do not remain alone. Look for relief and support, whether through professional advice, exchanging experiences with other caregivers or simply talking to friends and family.

Financial support

In Switzerland, there are various options that help family caregivers to support their care work financially. Here are some of the most important entitlements:

• Supplementary benefits (EL): people in need of care who receive a pension from the IV (disability insurance) and whose income does not cover their recognised expenses can apply for EL. Family caregivers can also benefit from this.

• Helplessness allowance (HE): an allowance paid by the AHV (Swiss old-age and survivors’ insurance) or IV to people with significant impairments who permanently depend on help or need continuous care.

• Contributions from health insurers: some health insurers offer financial support for family caregivers, especially after they have completed certain training courses.

• Tax deductions: in some cantons, family caregivers can deduct care-related costs from their taxes.

• Salary paid by a private Spitex: family caregivers can be employed and paid for their care work by specialised Spitex (home care) organisations such as pflegehero.

Other support services

In addition to financial help, there are numerous other forms of support:

• Advice centres: in many regions of Switzerland, there are specialised contact points that support family caregivers with advice and practical help. They offer not only information, but also concrete assistance to help you manage the care situation better.

• Training courses: anyone who feels unsure or would like to learn more about caregiving can attend courses and training. Organisations such as the Red Cross, Alzheimer Switzerland or pflegehero teach practical knowledge and give you confidence in dealing with people in need of care.

• Respite services: for times when a break is needed, services such as Spitex or private care organisations are available. They take over the care temporarily so that family members can catch their breath and recharge their batteries.

• Care leave: some employers offer their employees the opportunity to take care leave. This arrangement helps to balance work and caregiving and shows that society increasingly values the work of family caregivers.

Get paid for your care work

pflegehero pays you for the care you provide to your relatives at an hourly rate of CHF 36–42. Check now whether you meet all the criteria.

Decision: care at home or in a care home?

Many people want to stay in their own four walls in old age and be cared for there. But this is not always the best solution. Sometimes the need for care is so high that moving into a care home is the more sensible choice. Various aspects play a role in this decision.

First of all, you need to look closely at your relative’s care needs: does he or she need round-the-clock care, or is occasional support enough?

You should also take a critical look at your own abilities and resources. Do you have the necessary knowledge and strength to manage care at home? Or would professional help be the better choice?

Financial aspects also play a role. The costs of care at home – for example for aids or external care services – should be compared with the costs of a care home. It is worth doing the sums carefully and looking into possible financial support.

Finally, the wishes of the person in need of care should be at the centre. The needs and feelings of the person in need of care are a key factor that should have a decisive influence on the decision.

Combining work and caregiving

The double burden of work and caregiving can be challenging. Swiss employment law therefore provides specific rules to support family caregivers:

• Short-term absence from work: employees have the right to paid short-term absence to care for family members with health problems. This absence is limited to a maximum of three days per event and a total of ten days per year.

• Longer care leave: parents who have to care for their seriously ill minor child are entitled to up to 14 weeks of care leave.

• Protection against dismissal: there is no special protection against dismissal during care leave. This means that dismissal during this period is possible, provided it is not arbitrary or without objective grounds.

• Medical certificate: although the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR) does not explicitly require a doctor’s certificate, in practice the employer can request one to confirm the absence.

It is advisable to talk to your employer at an early stage about flexible working time models or part-time work so that you can better combine caregiving with your job.

Meeting the challenges is easier than you think

Caring for a relative is a responsible and often challenging task. But you do not have to shoulder everything alone. With the right support services, financial help and good organisation, you can master the care situation. Make use of the options available to you, and don’t forget to look after yourself too.