Older age & care
Ageing independently: From home care to advance directives and respite for family carers – find reliable guidance here.
Life Stages / Older age & care
Spitex & care at home
Spitex enables nursing and support in your own home – from wound care to everyday assistance. Medically prescribed nursing services are co-funded by the basic insurance. Early needs assessment helps organise the right support.
Advance directive & mandate in case of incapacity
With an advance directive (Patientenverfügung), you specify which medical measures you wish if you can no longer express yourself. The mandate in case of incapacity (Vorsorgeauftrag) determines who manages your personal and financial affairs. Both documents provide clarity and relieve your family – keep them in an easily accessible place.
Prevention in older age – vaccinations & screenings
Recommended in older age are, among others, the annual flu vaccination, vaccination against pneumococci, and against shingles. Screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, bone density, and vision and hearing help detect problems early. Discuss your personal prevention plan with your GP.
Respite for family carers
Family carers provide substantial support and often reach their own limits. Respite services such as day centres, temporary residential care, relief services and counselling centres create space. Look after your own health too and seek support early.
Medication in older age – polypharmacy
Taking several medications simultaneously increases the risk of interactions and side effects. Regular review of all medication by a doctor or pharmacist can uncover unnecessary or unfavourable combinations. Keep an up-to-date medication list and bring it to appointments.
Figures, deadlines and what insurance covers
- Care by Spitex
- Basic insurance pays a contribution per hourMedically prescribed nursing; assessment, treatment and basic care are mandatory benefits.
- Your share of nursing costs
- capped by law (daily rate)The remainder is covered by residual financing from canton or municipality – the arrangement varies by canton.
- Support and household
- not in basic insuranceShopping, cooking, cleaning and companionship are paid by you, supplementary insurance or municipality.
- Supplementary benefits
- when pension and assets are insufficientEntitlement with AHV/IV pension; apply at the cantonal EL office or municipality.
- Helplessness compensation
- for permanent daily assistanceIndependent of income; apply at the Ausgleichskasse.
- AHV care credits
- for family carersImprove your own later pension; register annually with the Ausgleichskasse.
- Advance directive
- written, dated, signed (ZGB)Record where kept – the entry can be noted on the insurance card.
- Advance care mandate
- handwritten or notarisedReviewed for validity by the KESB when needed.
General orientation to the Swiss system, not insurance or legal advice. Amounts and rules may change annually and vary by canton — your policy, your compensation office and the linked official sources are binding.
Official contact points
Independent advisory services outside FindMyDoc.
- Pro Senectute Advice on finances, supplementary benefits, housing, and everyday assistance — in every canton.
- Spitex Schweiz Find the responsible Spitex organisation in your municipality.
- Alzheimer Schweiz Advice for people affected and family carers in dementia, with cantonal sections.
- Supplementary benefits (AHV/IV) Official fact sheets on entitlement, calculation and application.
Unsure which service is responsible for your concern? This conversation will guide you to the right practice.
This collection is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice. For health concerns, please consult a doctor.