“Care Tinder” and “Care Compass” to help relatives providing care

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The Munich-based HealthTech company Nui Care is expanding its app for relatives providing care with two new features: a “Pflege-Kompass” (Care Compass) for evaluating care reports and a matching platform with the preliminary working title “Pflege-Tinder” (Care Tinder). The aim is to specifically relieve relatives in their daily caregiving tasks and to make existing benefit entitlements more transparent. The two offerings from Nui Care are funded as part of the “Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneering Solutions” by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

At the end of 2023, according to the Federal Statistical Office, around 5.7 million people in Germany were considered to be in need of care, the majority of whom are cared for at home – mostly by relatives. Many caregivers feel heavily burdened, while according to social associations, billions of euros in support services remain unused. Digital offerings could help people to more easily receive financial support or other benefits. Nui Care relies on a combination of app functions and personal advice from experts.

Making reports understandable

The “Pflege-Kompass” is intended to analyze care reports from the Medical Service for Statutorily Insured Persons (MD) or from the medical service of privately insured people (Medicproof). Formal findings in the report are to be translated into understandable information about benefit entitlements – for example, on the use of the monthly relief amount or other budgets. According to Nui Care, the Compass also provides information on prevention and relief services for relatives themselves, who are often under significant psychological strain.

“Pflege-Tinder”

With the second project, internally called “Pflege-Tinder”, Nui Care plans a matching function within the app. Relatives should be able to find support in their vicinity or network with other caregivers – for practical help or personal exchange. Currently, there are no concrete partnerships with local providers. In response to a question from heise online about whether cooperation with neighborhood assistance services or diaconal services is planned, Nui Care replies: “Currently, there are no partnerships with neighborhood assistance services or diaconal services. However, as part of the development of Pflege-Tinder, we are examining cooperation with neighborhood assistance services, medical supply stores, and similar organizations. We are also currently exploring cooperation with Desideria e.V., an association that supports relatives of dementia patients.”

Cooperations with health insurance companies

The Nui app is available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play and can be tested free of charge for two weeks. For certain insured individuals, it is free of charge. “So far, we have concluded contracts with Allianz Private Krankenversicherung, AOK Bayern, and DAK-Gesundheit. Recently, we were also able to conclude a framework agreement with numerous other health insurance companies to offer the app free of charge on a broad basis. For all others seeking support with home care, the app is available as a self-payer version (€9.99 per month),” says a spokesperson. Depending on the health insurance company, there are slight differences: “For example, AOK Bayern uses a co-branded version of the app, while DAK uses a white-label solution.”

In addition to Nui Care, there are also applications, for example “mitpflegeleben”. The app also offers digital support for relatives, including a service overview and budget management. Another app, the Vitakt app, helps coordinate between family members and neighbors. Health insurance companies themselves are also expanding digital and qualifying services related to neighborhood assistance. For example, Barmer has been offering free e-learning courses for neighborhood helpers since March 2025. After a knowledge test, participants receive a certificate with which they can register with the recognition bodies of the federal states to be able to bill via the monthly relief amount of the long-term care insurance. According to Barmer, the courses consider the respective state regulations and are recognized accordingly.

(mack)