Angehörige

Angehörige is a German noun meaning relatives or next of kin. It refers to people connected to someone by blood, marriage, or a registered partnership, and is used to describe them as a group or individual in a formal or neutral context. The term is broader than “Familie” and can include close as well as more distant relatives.

In healthcare and social policy, Angehörige denotes those who are involved in a person’s care, decision-making, or notification in emergencies. The phrase Pflegebedürftige Person und ihre Angehörigen is common in care discussions, highlighting the role of family members who provide informal support. The concept of pflegende Angehörige (caregiving relatives) is widely used to acknowledge and address the burden and needs of family caregivers.

In legal and administrative contexts, Angehörige is used to designate who should be informed or who may have a say when a person cannot decide for themselves. Phrases such as nächste Angehörige or die Angehörigen eines Patienten appear in forms and regulations to indicate next of kin or relatives with certain rights or responsibilities.

Demographically, the group of Angehörige is significant in aging societies, influencing health care, long-term care, and social policy. Governments and institutions implement measures to support Angehörige, including caregiver allowances, respite services, and programs within Pflegeversicherung (long-term care insurance).

Etymology and usage notes: the term stems from gehören (to belong) and is commonly used in official or formal language. In everyday speech, variations like ein Angehöriger or eine Angehörige (singular) may be used, while Angehörige in the plural is standard for referring to relatives as a group.