Zaanstad simplifies day care access for dementia patients with faster application process
Residents with dementia in Zaanstad can now access day care more quickly and easily. A new collaboration between dementia case managers and the Social Neighborhood Team eliminates the need for patients to repeat their stories, reducing delays and easing the burden on caregivers.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| New Process Start Date | March 16, 2026 |
| Location | Zaanstad, Noord-Holland |
| Involved Parties | Dementia case managers, Social Neighborhood Team (SWT) |
| Previous Process Issue | Residents had to repeat their story to multiple parties |
| Benefit | Faster access to day care, reduced burden on caregivers |
| How to Request a Case Manager | Through a general practitioner, geriatrician, or district nurse |
| Network Involved | Dementia and Older Psychiatry Network Zaanstreek Waterland |
The municipality of Zaanstad is responsible for organizing and improving local care services, including support for residents with dementia. By collaborating with healthcare providers and social teams, the municipality aims to streamline access to essential services like day care, ensuring better quality of life for vulnerable groups.
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‘People don’t need to tell their story twice’
Faster access to day care for residents with dementia.
As of 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 collaboration with the Social Neighborhood Team (SWT). In the old situation, residents first had to tell their story to the case manager. Subsequently, they had to tell their story again to the Social Neighborhood Team, who then had to make an assessment of the situation. Alderman of Care Harrie van der Laan: “People with dementia can thus gain faster and easier access to day care. The case managers know the residents with dementia and know what is needed. Day care is incredibly important for people with dementia. This gives them structure and relieves the caregivers.”
In the Dementia and Older Psychiatry Network Zaanstreek Waterland, the municipality works together with partners to improve care and support for people with dementia. From this collaboration, the municipality has developed this new method of working with the SWTs and the dementia case managers. Residents can request a dementia case manager through their general practitioner, geriatrician (geriatric medicine) or district nurse.
Dementia-friendly municipality
Alderman Van der Laan: “This faster route stems from regional cooperation. Compliments to all partners within the Dementia and Older Psychiatry Network for this faster method. As a dementia-friendly municipality, Zaanstad is committed to supporting people with dementia and their caregivers. This method will help them gain faster access to day care.”