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Deaths in Switzerland’s nursing homes account for more than half coronavirus death toll

The coronavirus has taken a particularly heavy toll on older people in Switzerland, with more than half of those dead from the virus being residents of nursing homes.

Published: 19 May 2020 18:07 CEST

Research by the Tages-Anzieger newspaper shows that a total of 53 percent of the country’s 1891 deaths have come out of nursing homes.

The figure is even higher in some cantons. In Zurich, 81 of the total 127 deaths were nursing home residents – 64 percent.

What we know about the victims of the coronavirus pandemic in Switzerland

The researchers note that the actual figures area likely to be even higher as only three cantons provide data on where a person was living at their time of death.

This means that anyone who was transferred to a hospital would not be counted in official figures, compared to people who died actually in a nursing home.

Coronavirus in Switzerland: Half of Ticino fatalities come from nursing homes

The number of deaths in nursing homes is roughly similar to that in Sweden, where the country has put in place only comparatively minimal lockdown rules.

Coronavirus: What went wrong in Sweden's care homes?

The figures from the study come from just 18 of the country’s 26 cantons, however these account for 94 percent of Switzerland’s total coronavirus deaths.

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How can a foreign resident apply for Swiss disability insurance?

Disability insurance (DI), also known in Switzerland as ‘invalidity’ insurance, may sound as though you have to be physically handicapped in order to be eligible to receive this benefit.

But that is not so.

It is intended to replace lost income if you can’t work for long periods of time due to health problems — whatever the type of your ailment.

According to a government brochure on this subject, “the law defines invalidity as a total or partial incapacity to work or inability to perform previous tasks. The reason for the invalidity must be an impairment of physical, mental or psychological health that cannot be overcome with medical treatment and reintegration measures. Possible causes of the health impairment are a congenital infirmity, an illness, an occupational disease or an accident.”

Are foreigners eligible for this insurance?

Everyone working Switzerland, regardless of the nationality, is insured for DI when they pay their compulsory social security contributions.

Note, however, that you will be entitled to draw full amounts (read more about this below) only if you contribute into the social security scheme from the time you turn 21 without any gaps.

You will receive these payouts for as long as you remain in Switzerland

However, if you move away, there will be some differences based on whether you come from the EU / EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or a third country.

Nationals of EU / EFTA have the same DI rights as Swiss citizens — they will continue to receive the benefits even if they move back.

But if you come from elsewhere, benefits may be limited once you return to your country of origin, if that country doesn’t have a social security agreement with Switzerland.

How can you apply for these benefits?

In order to receive the DI, you will first need to complete an application form for IV/AI benefits (form available in German, French and Italian).

You will have to provide various documents, including medical certificates and other relevant paperwork detailed in the form that will allow authorities to determine whether you are eligible to receive disability in the first place and, if so, how much (see below).

It is in your interest to register as soon as possible.

If you wait too long, your benefits may be reduced.

How much can you expect to receive?

These payments are intended to cover your essential needs, so don’t expect huge amounts.

The benefits are determined by two factors: your average salary before you become disabled, as well as the degree of your disability, which will be determined by health professionals designated by your social security office.

Logically, the more (and longer) you earned and contributed into the system, the more you will receive.

Generally speaking, the lowest possible full DI pension is currently 1,225 Swiss francs per month.

The highest is 2,450 francs per month — if you earned 86,040 francs or more per year and you have paid uninterrupted contributions from age 21.

What if these amounts are not enough for you to live on?

In this case you could receive supplemental benefits at a level considered adequate to maintain a reasonable standard of living.

Whether or not you are eligible for these benefits depends on your combined income and your personal wealth. You can only receive supplemental benefits as long as you live in Switzerland, though — unlike the basic DI, they are not transferable abroad.

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