Overview

• The AOK WIdO hospital report reveals that patients over 80 now account for more than 22% of hospitalizations in Germany, with even higher rates in some regions like Brandenburg (24%).
• High-aged inpatients face longer stays (average 8.1 days) and incur significantly higher costs (€3350 per stay on average) compared to younger patients.
• Up to one-third of these hospitalizations could be avoided with better outpatient care, as 58 common diagnoses do not necessarily require hospitalization under optimal conditions.
• Germany's aging population is projected to grow from 6 million in 2025 to 9.1 million by 2050, exacerbating pressures on an already strained healthcare workforce.
• Experts and stakeholders advocate for reforms, including expanded telemedicine, preventive care, and integration of ambulatory and stationary services to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve outcomes.