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Press release 01/2026

Public hearing: Ethical challenges in home and residential long-term care

More and more people in Germany are in need of care. A shortage of skilled nursing personnel and changing family structures pose additional challenges for long-term care. What does care look like under these conditions, considering dignity, self-determination and the well-being of all involved? In preparation for its current Opinion, the German Ethics Council will hear experts on 22 January.
01/15/2026

“The reform of care is urgent and affects everyone in society, not just in matters of financing. Anyone can become a person in need of care or a person providing care at some point,” Annette Riedel, spokesperson for the Ethics Council’s Opinion, says. “The core question is: How do we want to organise future long-term care in a humane society – and what ethical standards should apply?”

On 22 January, the Council invites experts in long-term care to discuss their insights, ethical challenges, but also possible solutions and examples of best practice. The results will be incorporated into the Opinion paper. “It is important for us to include different perspectives,” Annette Riedel emphasises. The hearing will feature representatives of healthcare professionals, of those in need of care and their relatives and friends, as well as an economist and a residential care home manager.

Experts:

  • Brigitte Bührlen – Chair, WIR! Foundation for Caring Relatives
  • Georg Cremer – Professor of Economics, University of Freiburg
  • Vera Lux – President, German Nurses Association
  • Manfred Schmidt – Chair, home advisory board, Eben-Ezer senior citizens’ home
  • Bernd Trost – Regional Manager, Franziska Schervier senior citizens’ care
  • Christine Vogler – President, German Nursing Council

The hearing is open to the public and will be streamed (in German only) at www.ethikrat.org/live. Registration is not required.

Public hearing
Ethical challenges in home and residential long-term care
When: 22 January 2026 von 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: www.ethikrat.org/live

The programme and event brochure including information about the speakers (in German only) can be found at www.ethikrat.org/veranstaltungen/anhoerungen/ethische-herausforderungen-in-der-langzeitpflege.