Germany has mandatory nursing care insurance attached to statutory health insurance since 1995. Elderly with disabilities or dementia can apply for a nursing care level [Pflegestufe]. To identify elderly in need, a basic geriatric assessment performed in general practice was introduced in 2005 . Although elderly are entitled to rehabilitative services as codified in the Book V (SGB V) and XI (SGB XI) of the German social code general practitioners have only limited access to specialised rehabilitative services for geriatric patients. While the number of hospitals providing geriatric services is increasing, the demand for ambulatory services is not met . Elderly patients with a need for rehabilitation prefer to stay close to their home and relatives, maintaining their everyday life . Consequently, ambulatory rehabilitation is preferred. Rehabilitative services were and are still mainly available after hospitalisation e.g. for stroke or fracture after a fall.