Practical Information

Home Care Services

Most elderly people in Switzerland live in their own homes. There is a wide network of home health care and home help, organised by the non-profit association, Spitex in all cantons and communes. Home help consists mainly of nursing services but also includes domestic help and "meals on wheels" services. The Spitex website provides detailed information about the services available, rates and financing as well as a list of cantonal and communal Spitex organisations. The commune and the cantonal Pro Senectute advisory services can provide more information about other available services.

Nursing services provided as part of home help are reimbursed through health insurance. Your health insurance company provides information of the costs covered by health insurance. The other types of home help (domestic help, "meals on wheels", administrative and personal assistance) must be paid for by the person receiving the help.

If an elderly person's income is not sufficient to pay for home help, they can request supplementary benefits. People who as a result of health problems have difficulty getting up, washing or eating for example can apply for an AHV (Swiss Social Security) disability allowance. Applications for supplementary benefits should be addressed to the AHV branch of the person's commune of residence whereas applications for disability allowances should be sent to the AHV compensation office. The web site link to the AHV branch for your commune can be found on the Swiss Portal website. The Pro Senectute organisation offers ad hoc financial help to people who really need it. The Pro Senectute advisory service in your area can give you more details.