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Wichernhaus Herford Overview
The Wichernhaus is a diaconal care facility in Herford in East Westphalia-Lippe in North Rhine-Westphalia. The name honors Johann Hinrich Wichern, the founder of the German Inner Mission and a pioneer for social welfare in the 19th century. Today, the Wichernhaus stands for modern Protestant senior care in the linen weaving town of Herford. The facility actively works to improve the quality of life of older people and combines tradition with contemporary care standards.
Care and Support Services
The facility offers full residential care, short-term care, and specialized support for people with dementia. These offerings are designed to meet the individual needs of the residents. Diaconal values such as love of neighbor, dignity, and community shape everyday life, creating a family atmosphere. In this environment, not only do the nursing-dependent seniors find support, but also their relatives.
- Full Residential Care: Comprehensive care and support around the clock by trained professionals.
- Short-Term Care: Temporary support in crisis situations or for the recovery phases of caregiving relatives.
- Dementia Care: Specialized care concepts that are tailored to the specific needs of people with dementia.
In addition to the nursing services, spiritual care plays a central role. Protestant services and regular devotions are integral parts of everyday life that cater to the spiritual needs of the residents. Furthermore, there are numerous recreational offerings that promote social contact and activities for seniors. The team organizes regular outings and creative workshops to support joy of life and active participation.
Regulatory Classification and Quality Standards
The Wichernhaus is subject to the strict guidelines of long-term care insurance and the requirements of the Housing and Participation Act (WTG) NRW. The facility is committed to continuously improving quality in care and conducting regular external quality assessments. These assessments include the evaluation of nursing services, hygiene standards, and the quality of life of the residents.
It is planned to regularly evaluate and adjust the service and care offerings to meet the latest standards. This is ensured through training and continuing education programs for all nursing staff to make sure that the most demanding care methods are applied.
Location Herford / Lower Saxony
Herford is a city in East Westphalia-Lippe in the district of Herford (NRW), known for the MARTa Museum of Contemporary Art. This city not only offers a culturally rich environment but also excellent connections to the transport network. The city is located on the A2 and B61 and has an ICE long-distance train station, making it easily accessible for both locals and visitors.
Moreover, the city is surrounded by picturesque landscapes that provide numerous opportunities for walks and excursions into nature. These factors contribute to the attractiveness of the Wichernhaus, as they create a calm yet vibrant environment where older people can enjoy their retirement.
Other care facilities in the region: Care facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia or all care facilities in Germany on Sanoliste.
Frequently asked questions about Wichernhaus
What is the address of Wichernhaus?
The address is: Fichtestraße 16, 32052 Herford, Lower Saxony. Für Besuche und Besichtigungen empfiehlt sich eine telefonische Voranmeldung.
How can I reach Wichernhaus by telephone?
You can reach Wichernhaus at the telephone number +49 5221 9732 0. The nursing staff will be happy to inform you about the range of services and available capacity.
What care services are available at Wichernhaus?
As an inpatient care home in Herford offers Wichernhaus typically offers full inpatient care services. These include basic care, medical treatment care, supervised activities and social activities for the residents.
What care levels are catered for at Wichernhaus?
Inpatient care homes such as Wichernhaus generally care for residents with care levels 1 to 5. Depending on the care level, the statutory long-term care insurance covers a fixed amount of the monthly costs.
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About Care Homes
A care home (Pflegeheim or vollstationäre Pflegeeinrichtung) is a fully inpatient residential care facility that provides round-the-clock nursing, medical and social care to people who can no longer be adequately supported in their own home. Admission is linked to a formally recognised care level (Pflegegrad) under Germany's long-term care insurance system (Soziale Pflegeversicherung, SGB XI). Germany currently recognises five care levels: Pflegegrad 1 (minor impairment of independence) through to Pflegegrad 5 (most severe impairment with special care requirements). Assessment of an individual's care level is conducted by the Medizinischer Dienst (MD, Germany's Medical Review Board, formerly MDK) using a standardised tool called the New Assessment Instrument (Neues Begutachtungsinstrument, NBA), which evaluates six domains of functioning including mobility, cognitive ability, self-care and handling disease-related requirements. Germany has approximately 15,400 residential care facilities offering over 900,000 care places (Federal Statistical Office 2023). Care homes are regulated under the residential care legislation of each individual German federal state (Heimgesetze der Länder) and are subject to regular quality inspections by the MD. Quality reports are publicly accessible. Care costs consist of a nursing component (covered partly by statutory long-term care insurance), accommodation, meals and an investment cost surcharge. Residents who cannot cover their own contribution may apply for social care assistance (Hilfe zur Pflege) through their local social welfare office. This directory covers all residential care facilities in Germany with address, phone number and regional search.
Long-Term Care in Germany: System Overview
Germany's long-term care system (Pflegeversicherung) was established in 1995 as the fifth pillar of the country's social insurance system (soziale Sicherung), alongside health insurance, pension insurance, accident insurance and unemployment insurance. All persons with statutory health insurance are automatically enrolled in statutory long-term care insurance (gesetzliche Pflegeversicherung, GPV), and those with private health insurance must take out equivalent private long-term care insurance. The system provides financial contributions towards the cost of care for individuals who are assessed as meeting the threshold for a recognised care level (Pflegegrad 1 to 5). Importantly, long-term care insurance in Germany operates on the principle of partial coverage (Teilkaskoversicherung), meaning it covers a defined contribution per care level rather than the full cost of care. The significant gap between insurance benefits and actual care home costs must be met by the individual from their own resources or, if these are insufficient, by the social welfare system.
Types of Care Facilities in Germany
Germany's care system distinguishes between several types of long-term care provision. Fully inpatient care homes (vollstationäre Pflegeeinrichtungen) provide 24-hour residential care and are the facilities listed on Sanoliste. Day care facilities (Tagespflege) offer daytime care while the person returns home in the evening. Short-term care (Kurzzeitpflege) provides temporary inpatient care for defined periods, for example after a hospital stay or to give family carers a break. Assisted living facilities (Betreutes Wohnen) and care residential complexes (Pflegewohngemeinschaften) offer an intermediate option between fully independent living and a traditional care home. Prevention and rehabilitation services can delay or reduce the need for full inpatient care. The German care system strongly emphasises enabling people to remain in their own homes as long as possible through outpatient care services (ambulante Pflege) and support for family carers.
Quality Assurance and Oversight of German Care Homes
Quality assurance in German care homes operates through multiple mechanisms. The Medizinischer Dienst (MD) conducts regular quality inspections of all care homes, resulting in published quality reports accessible to the public and families seeking a suitable facility. Since 2019 Germany has introduced a new quality assurance system for inpatient care (Qualitätsprüfungs-Richtlinien stationär, QPR stationär) based on outcome indicators rather than purely process-based criteria. Care homes must collect and submit outcome data including rates of pressure ulcers, falls, catheter-associated infections, unplanned weight loss and pain management. This data is audited by the MD. In addition, state supervisory authorities (Heimaufsicht) carry out inspections focused on compliance with residential care legislation. The Federal Quality Committee (Qualitätsausschuss Pflege), composed of representatives of care homes and long-term care insurance funds, sets national quality standards. Families researching care homes are advised to review the published quality reports, make personal visits and speak with current residents and their families.
Quality Assurance and Supervisory Authorities in German Care Homes
Quality in German care homes is assured through a multi-level control system. The Medical Service (MD) inspects fully inpatient facilities regularly and without prior notice; results are published as quality reports and are accessible to anyone. The state supervisory authority of each federal state grants operating licences and can prohibit operations in cases of serious deficiencies. Since 2019, a new quality system under the Care Quality Development Act (PflEQG) has applied with standardised quality indicators covering falls, pressure ulcers, unintended weight loss and physical restraints. The care home must maintain an internal quality management system and provide regular further training for nursing staff. Staffing ratio requirements specify what proportion of caregivers must hold a recognised professional qualification. Facilities with dementia care concepts, palliative care or short-term care are separately listed in Sanoliste so that relatives can specifically search for specialist care services.
What is a care home?
A care home (residential care facility) provides round-the-clock nursing, medical and social support to people who need ongoing care. Care homes in Germany are subject to oversight by their respective federal state and must undergo regular inspections by the MD (Medizinischer Dienst, Germany's Medical Review Board).
How do I find the right care home?
When choosing a care home, consider location, range of care services, activity programmes, quality ratings, costs and availability. Sanoliste lists all care homes in Germany with full contact details and addresses, sorted by federal state and city, so you can quickly find a suitable facility nearby.
Who pays for care home costs?
Care home costs in Germany are partially covered by statutory long-term care insurance. The remaining personal contribution covering accommodation, meals, investment costs and the facility-specific surcharge must be borne by the resident. If income or assets are insufficient, care assistance can be applied for through the social welfare office.
What are care levels and what do they mean?
Germany has five care levels (Pflegegrad 1 to 5) that describe the degree of impairment to a person's independence. Care level 1 corresponds to minor impairments, while care level 5 covers the most severe impairments with special care requirements. Classification is carried out by the MD (Medical Review Board) using the New Assessment Instrument (NBA).
How many care homes are there in Germany?
Germany has approximately 15,400 fully inpatient residential care facilities (vollstationäre Pflegeeinrichtungen) offering over 900,000 care places, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt 2023). The number of care places has been growing steadily in response to Germany's ageing population.
What is the Medizinischer Dienst (MD) and how does it assess care homes?
The Medizinischer Dienst (MD), formerly known as MDK (Medizinischer Dienst der Krankenversicherung), is Germany's independent Medical Review Board funded by the statutory health and long-term care insurance funds. The MD carries out regular quality inspections of care homes, assessing nursing quality, care documentation, medication management, hygiene standards and the wellbeing of residents. Inspection results are published as quality reports (Qualitätsberichte) which can be accessed online.
Can expatriates or foreign nationals access care homes in Germany?
Yes. Care homes in Germany are open to all residents regardless of nationality, provided they hold statutory or private long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung), which is compulsory for all legal residents in Germany. EU citizens working in Germany and registered residents are generally covered by statutory care insurance. Non-EU nationals with legal residence and employment subject to social insurance contributions are also covered.