Care Needs and Health Policy in Flensburg: Challenges and Strategies in Focus

Demographics, Care Needs, and Staff Shortages: Flensburg Plans for the Future

The city of Flensburg is facing a challenge that is not only local but also national in scope: the increasing number of older people and the associated rise in care needs. In the February 2026 meeting of the Social and Health Committee, key measures were presented that aim to stabilize the health and care system in Flensburg in the long term.

Rising Care Needs – Structures Must Follow

The current Care Needs Plan 2023–2040 shows that the demand for care services in Flensburg will increase by 16% by 2040. Particularly notable is a 20% rise in home-based care, highlighting the central role of care at home. At the same time, inpatient care will remain an important part of the system, with an expected increase of 21%.

The city currently has 1,099 inpatient care places, already slightly exceeding current demand. Nevertheless, a continuous expansion is expected, especially in short-term and day care services. 75% of the surveyed stakeholders see a need for additional day care places, indicating the necessity for stronger infrastructure to support the daily care of those in need.

Staff Shortages as a Central Challenge

A crucial bottleneck is the shortage of care staff. In home-based care, a decline of 10% is recorded between 2017 and 2021, while in inpatient care the decline is slightly lower at 0.9%. By 2040, an increase in staffing needs of 6.1% is expected in the baseline scenario and as much as 21.8% in the decentralization scenario.

To address this, the city plans targeted measures for staff development: expansion of training and further education, recruitment of care professionals from abroad, relief through childcare options, and the creation of affordable housing as an incentive. In addition, digital solutions such as improved route planning and staffing pools are to be implemented to increase efficiency and flexibility in home-based care.

Structural Adaptations and Collaborations

Another focal theme is the integration of care into urban planning. Age-friendly housing, barrier-free housing concepts, and cooperation with housing cooperatives are central elements of this action area. In addition, the city is working on expanding neighborhood support and qualification programs for volunteers to strengthen informal care.

The city also plans to expand the care needs monitoring system to include structural aspects and specialized services (e.g., for dementia, neurology, or psychiatry). Collaborations with organizations such as the Diakonisches Werk and the Selbsthilfe-Bauverein Flensburg are already established.

Senior Work and Committee Development

Another focus of the February 2026 meeting was the future of senior work in Flensburg. The previous Senior Council will be dissolved and replaced by a new expert committee consisting of 12 volunteer members. The city has tasked the committee to submit action proposals by summer 2026 and to develop a concept for a permanent interest representation by 2027.

The re-election of the Senior Council is planned for September 2026, with an estimated additional cost of approximately 60,000 EUR. At the same time, a public awareness campaign will be launched to increase the visibility of the Senior Council.

Conclusion: A City in Transition

Flensburg is moving along a sensitive path: demographics, staff shortages, and infrastructural adaptations are shaping the future of the health and care system. The city is relying on targeted planning, collaboration, and innovation to meet these challenges. With the establishment of an expert committee, the expansion of care counseling, and the strengthening of home-based care, Flensburg is setting impulses that are relevant beyond the local level.