The rising costs of construction are significantly impacting the affordability of care homes in Germany. A new care home can cost as much as a month’s stay at a luxury hotel like the Adlon in Berlin – approximately 9,000 euros. This price point is making elder care inaccessible for many families. A recent visit to a construction site in Cologne highlighted the factors driving these escalating expenses. The situation underscores a growing crisis in providing affordable long-term care for Germany’s aging population. The high building costs are a major contributor to the overall expense of care home placement. This trend raises concerns about equitable access to essential care services.