The ALTENPFLEGE 2025 congress promises three inspiring days full of innovative ideas, high-calibre presentations and practical discussions. With a varied programme, it offers a unique opportunity to shed light on key issues in elderly care and actively participate in shaping them. Immerse yourself and be inspired by forward-looking concepts and best practices.
Day 1: Strengthening trust, shaping the future
The trade fair congress kicks off with a strong message: the opening session is dedicated to the dialogue between politicians and care associations on the care agenda following the early elections. Under the title ‘Strengthening trust, shaping the future’, experts will discuss the key challenges. Look forward to hearing from Dr Bernadette Klapper, Federal Managing Director of the DBfK, and Dr Martin Schölkopf, Head of Department 4, Nursing Care Insurance and Strengthening at the Federal Ministry of Health, as well as other representatives of relevant associations with whom the congress programme was once again drawn up. A special focus will be placed on the Nursing Competence Act. We will analyse where we currently stand, what changes await us and how these will affect nursing professionals and the economic efficiency of facilities.
Im Anschluss findet auf der zentralen Bühne die erste Big Stage-Session zur Personalbemessung statt. Die Herausforderungen der Umsetzung des § 113c SGB XI stehen dabei im Mittelpunkt. Thomas Knieling (VDAB) beleuchtet die Meilensteine und Stolpersteine bei der Erfüllung untergesetzlicher Aufgaben, während Ulrike Döring (Deutscher Pflegerat) den Qualifikationsmix und die Mindestpersonalausstattung beleuchtet. Thorsten Mittag (Der Paritätische Gesamtverband) ergänzt die Diskussion mit kreativen Konzepten für den Praxistransfer. Diese Session bietet fundierte Einblicke in die Herausforderungen, etwa wie unter Beachtung der Personenzentrierung und ohne starre Vorgaben zum Verrichtungsbezug eine Umsetzung der Kompetenzorientierung gelingt. Die Session, moderiert von Stefan Werner (Keppler-Stiftung Sindelfingen), beleuchtet den Status quo und diskutiert mögliche Lösungsansätze.
Der Nachmittag hält täglich zwei Zeitslots für jeweils fünf parallellaufende einstündige Masterclasses bereit. Eine davon thematisiert den Umgang mit assistiertem Suizid und richtet sich speziell an Führungskräfte in der Altenpflege und Hospizarbeit. Die Session mit Pastor Nils Christiansen bietet einen fundierten Impulsvortrag, gefolgt von einer offenen Fragerunde und Diskussion. Ziel ist es, den Teilnehmenden Klarheit, Orientierung und konkrete Werkzeuge an die Hand zu geben, um Sicherheit im Umgang mit diesem sensiblen Thema zu erlangen.
At the same time, another masterclass will explore the topic of flexibility and competence orientation in personnel assessment in greater depth. The first part with Michael Wipp (WippCARE) will focus on new requirements that demand modern working structures. Is it possible to achieve continuity for residents and, at the same time, flexibility in the deployment of skilled workers in conjunction with competence-oriented relationship-based care? The expert explains how apparent contradictions can be well organised. Learn how modern structures and processes can be designed. In the second part of the session, Dr Christian Weiß (Managing Director of Sozialteam Management und Holding GmbH) shows how a model institution can make the organisational and development process dynamic and lively, and what opportunities this offers in terms of workplace attractiveness.
Day 2: Focus on debureaucratisation and dementia strategy
The second day of the congress begins with a session on debureaucratising care documentation. Elisabeth Beikirch, EinSTEP project manager, presents the latest developments relating to EinSTEP 3.0, while Stefan Werner presents the mission statement-based documentation system ‘Keppler-Doku’. The Bavarian initiative Klartext Pflegedokumentation (Clear Text Care Documentation) rounds off the programme and shows how innovative approaches can be implemented in practice. This session offers valuable insights into how care facilities can make their documentation processes leaner and more effective.
Another highlight of the day is the Big Stage session on the future of dementia care. Here, science and practice engage in dialogue to present new concepts and best practices. Particularly impressive is the pilot project ‘Therapeutic Loafing’, presented by Christian Löbel, residential area manager of the ‘Gammeloase’ at the AWO Julie-Kolb Senior Centre, and Gabriele Naskrent, care assistant with additional qualifications in geriatric psychiatry. This innovative concept shows how nursing homes can become oases of peace and relaxation. Lydia Kassing, facility manager and PDL at the Resi-Stemmler Haus in Euskirchen, then reports on the successes of the OPESA project, which enables a significant reduction in psychotropic drugs for residents with dementia. This session offers a wealth of inspiration and shows how forward-looking approaches can improve the quality of life for people with dementia.
In the afternoon, the focus will be on qualification-oriented duty scheduling. Michael Wipp will show how duty scheduling and work processes can be specifically tailored to the skills of employees. Duty scheduling and the complexity of care situations are key parameters here. In the second part, Thomas Sawinsky from Malteser Marienhospital will present a best practice report on practical approaches to restructuring care facilities. In this context, personnel development comes to the fore. Coaching for managers and employees is crucial. Team development and dealing with skilled workers who are unable to perform their roles professionally because they lack the know-how or interest in the tasks reserved for them are also of great importance. Involving sceptical employees is also extremely challenging, but essential. Some practical approaches for implementation in the facility will be presented. A rethink on the part of managers in the residential areas as well as nursing service and facility management is imperative in order to act as drivers of change and catalysts for successful change management.
Day 3: Perspectives for nursing care and innovative projects
The third day of the congress begins with an exciting session on the Nursing Competence Act. Christian Hener, consultant for nursing professions and competence development in nursing, and Nadine Treff, consultant for elderly care and nursing at the Samaritan Foundation, discuss which legal adjustments are necessary to make care more effective and efficient. Particular focus will be placed on the skills and powers of nursing professionals, which are to be strengthened by a modern nursing law.
In the afternoon, the masterclasses on the scientifically based training programme Bestform are a particular highlight. The programme was developed specifically for elderly people. Dr Stefan Arend, founder of the Institute for Social Management and New Forms of Living and lecturer in the field of ‘The Society of Long Life’ at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and Professor Monika Siegrist from TUM will show how exercise programmes can be integrated into care facilities and what positive effects they have on the health and quality of life of residents. This is because exercise programmes are still not part of the standard services offered by senior care facilities, even though it is well known how important mobility, balance, strength and endurance are for the elderly and vulnerable. Instead, it is left to chance whether and, if so, which exercise programmes are created and maintained in a facility. Be inspired to take action here.
At the same time, another masterclass will shed light on the topics of employer branding and recruiting. Giovanni Bruno and Dr Thomas Hilse will show how care facilities can strengthen their employer brand and attract new talent in a targeted manner. They will present practical strategies and best practices that are particularly important in times of skilled labour shortages.
Acting in crises and disasters
At the end of the congress, the programme includes a masterclass on crisis and disaster management. Michael Köhler from the Institute for Health and Nursing Science at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin will highlight the central role that nursing professionals can play in civil protection and how their skills can be used in a targeted manner to act effectively in crisis situations. This session offers valuable insights and concrete recommendations for dealing with extraordinary challenges.
Your chance to actively shape nursing care
The Pflege trade fair congress is the ideal platform for exchanging ideas with leading figures in the industry, learning about innovative concepts and gaining new inspiration for your own practice. Take this opportunity to be part of this inspiring event and actively shape the future of nursing care.
