Baby boomer effects exacerbate the need for professional care

According to the DAK care report, the staffing situation in the care sector will worsen in the coming years. "Rising costs, more people in need of care and dwindling staff resources are putting a strain on our care system," said Saxony's DAK regional head Stefan Wandel. In addition, the staffing problem will increase due to the effects of the baby boomer generation.

Almost 20 percent of care workers will soon retire

According to the health insurance company, there will be around 65,000 professional carers in Saxony in 2023. More than 12,800 of them will reach retirement age in the next ten years - that's 19.7 percent, it said. However, the actual demand is likely to be far greater in view of the continuously growing number of people in need of care. It is estimated that in the next 25 years, around 2.3 million more people nationwide will be dependent on nursing support than today.

In Saxony, the number of nursing professionals will fall significantly as the retirement age approaches, explained Wandel. Despite considerable investment in nursing training, there is no noticeable relief for carers and no reserves for the effects of the baby boomer generation. "However, in order to make the system fit for the future with new
care and financing concepts, we urgently need a fundamental reform of long-term care insurance," emphasized Wandel.

Labour market reserve melts to 0.9 percent

According to the DAK, there will be 2,198 new entrants to the profession next year compared to 373 retirements, which corresponds to a labour market reserve of 2.7 percent. In 2030, the reserve will drop massively to 602 workers, which corresponds to 0.9 percent, according to the DAK forecast.

Above-average health burden on nursing staff

In addition, the number of health problems suffered by nursing staff is reportedly above average. In 2022, musculoskeletal disorders and mental stress were the main reasons for an average of 53 days' absence from work among nursing staff in Saxony. In other occupational groups in this age group, the figure was 37 days of absence.