Legislative amendment helps families get appropriate care for their loved ones faster

Due to a legislative amendment, family members can apply for and sign care and support for their loved ones under the Long-Term Care Act (Wlz). This is necessary when the client is unable to apply for care themselves due to not being able to oversee the consequences, often due to dementia. Currently, it is cumbersome for family members to arrange the right care for their loved ones. This change ensures more involvement of family members in care and less delay in organizing care for the client. It also significantly reduces administrative burdens for caregivers and results in thousands of care hours saved. The amendment is expected to take effect in 2027.

State Secretary Pouw-Verweij of Health, Welfare and Sport: “It is only logical that family members, who often have been caring for their loved ones for many years, also get the opportunity to apply for care on their behalf. With this legislative amendment, we make it easier for those who are no longer able to manage their affairs to receive the care and support they need. This is a step towards a more humane and practical care system.”

Easier to get appropriate care

Currently, family members are not allowed to apply for a Wlz indication. To ensure that the client still receives the appropriate care, family members must ask the court to become a mentor. The court often denies this request, as mentorship is considered too intrusive for merely signing a Wlz application. Moreover, applying for mentorship takes a lot of time and administration. As a result, it becomes more difficult for some people who cannot manage their own affairs to obtain Wlz care.

Less administrative burden

Research by Sira Consulting commissioned by the Ministry of VWS shows that the adjustment of the law leads to a significant reduction in regulatory pressure for family members and care providers. Care providers no longer need to assist with the application for mentorship, spend less time explaining to relatives, and have to make fewer home visits. This time saving can be used by caregivers for the actual care of the client. Additionally, this results in financial savings for those involved: care providers save approximately € 858,600. Calculations also show that the Care Indication Center (CIZ) will save about € 142,000 per year starting in 2027. The structural savings are expected to be even higher thereafter.