When a person in Germany needs long-term care, the level of support depends on a Pflegegrad, a care grade from 1 to 5. The law requires that the grade be determined with a professionally grounded assessment instrument.
The instrument scores six areas of life with fixed weights. Self-care counts for 40 percent, mobility for 10 percent, and everyday life and social contacts for 15 percent. A total of 12.5 to under 27 points means care grade 1. A total of 90 to 100 points means care grade 5.