Barrier-free living: moving around indoors and outdoors without accidents

Slippery floor covering, doorsteps and narrow doors can become difficult obstacles in old age. Even small changes can make life easier inside and outside the home.

We offer advice on barrier-free living, avoiding accidents and finding your way around your home despite your need for long-term care. Sometimes, this requires remodelling, such as the removal of doorsteps or the modification of bathroom and kitchen. Often, additional technical assistive devices are useful. The best-known device is an alarm button that can be worn on the wrist or around the neck. These domestic emergency call systems call for help after a fall or accident. There are also modern, age-appropriate assistance systems that use sensors to detect irregularities in the daily routine. For example, they trigger an alarm if the person in need of care does not get up at the usual time.

Mobility and safety outdoors

Doctor visits, trips to the theatre or visits to an old friend: social contacts are very good for your health. If you or your loved ones need help leaving home, help is available within Berlin. The senate-sponsored mobility assistance supports elderly, disabled and sick people. Several districts also have volunteers who offer their assistance by escorting people for events and visits. The Department of Transportation for Berlin-Brandenburg (Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg: VBB) also supports affected people in Berlin with the bus and train escort service or transport requirements.

6 – Household help

Many people need help with shopping, cooking or with cleaning living spaces. On request, the medical insurance company will cover the costs for household help due to serious illness, particularly after a hospital stay. (See information sheet no. 1 Home...

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13 – Accommodation for the Elderly

“Accommodation for the Elderly” describes different forms and types of housing. The most important include: Senior citizens’ home Home care or assisted living Community living Out-patient assisted living communities Nursing home These types of living accommodation differ in the extent...

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19 – Emergency Call System

If you are afraid that you won–™t be able to get help after a fall or an accident in your home, installing an emergency call system can be a good solution. Which home emergency call systems are available?  

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20 – Mobility Assistance

For the elderly, the ill or handicapped, it is often difficult for them to leave their home. People who live alone may therefore feel isolated and lonely. Various options exist that can help people in these situations stay mobile, keep...

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22 – Identification for the Severely Handicapped

The severely handicapped pass is available upon application. Only the Office for Public Support can issue the pass. The degree of disability can be assessed by the medical service of the Office for Public Support. The application form is available...

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40 – Travel – respite and recovery

For persons in need of help and care and their relatives Travel is fun and increases the joy of life, often far beyond the holiday period itself. Mobility impaired people, those diagnosed with dementia or parents with children in need...

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