‘People don’t have to tell their story twice’

Faster access to day care for residents with dementia.

From today, there is a faster way to apply for day care for residents with dementia. From now on, dementia case managers can arrange this themselves in cooperation with the Social District Team (SWT). Previously, residents had to tell their story to the case manager first. Then they had to tell their story again to the Social District Team, which then had to assess the situation. Alderman of Care Harrie van der Laan: “People with dementia will get faster and easier access to day care this way. The case managers know the residents with dementia and know what is needed. Day care is extremely important for people with dementia. It gives them structure and relieves the informal caregivers.”

Within the Dementia and Elderly Psychiatry Network Zaanstreek Waterland, the municipality works together with partners to improve care and support for people with dementia. From this collaboration, the municipality, together with the SWT’s and dementia case managers, developed this new approach. Residents can request a dementia case manager via their general practitioner, geriatrician (elderly care medicine), or district nurse.

Dementia-friendly municipality

Alderman Van der Laan: “This faster route comes from regional cooperation. Compliments to all partners within the Dementia and Elderly Psychiatry Network for this faster approach. As a dementia-friendly municipality, Zaanstad is committed to supporting people with dementia and their informal caregivers. This approach will help them gain faster access to day care.”