State Secretary Maeijer: “I am glad that we have made a number of concrete agreements that will really help in daily care practice. This way, elderly people get the care and support they need and that suits them, even as vulnerability increases. Care providers will have more room to do their wonderful work with these agreements, and informal caregivers will receive better support to maintain their valuable contribution.”

The negotiation agreement outlines several principles that are important for quality of life. It concerns, for example, the awareness of preparing oneself for aging, the importance of maintaining independence and self-direction, the value of social relationships and their possible role as informal caregivers, the function of the home and the neighborhood in which the elderly live, and the use of technology.

These principles have been translated by the involved parties into concrete agreements regarding the maintenance of independence and self-direction, the support of informal caregivers, better alignment of Wlz care at home with the situation of the elderly, and access to nursing homes for the most vulnerable elderly. Additionally, we have also reached agreement on finances. We can now concretely get to work for the elderly, care providers, and informal caregivers in the Netherlands.

In practice, it is already felt daily that there are more and more elderly people who need care and support. While we are facing a growing shortage of care providers. Therefore, we have also made agreements on reducing administrative burdens, improving data exchange, and the use of technology.

State Secretary Maeijer: “Looking back at the constructive conversations we have had and the unity we feel about the course set, I am confident that we will soon be able to jointly sign and implement the Framework Agreement.”

Organizations that actively participated in drafting the Framework Agreement on Elderly Care include: ActiZ, Association of Dutch Municipalities, Senior Coalition, Social Work Netherlands, Nurses & Caregivers Netherlands, Health Insurers Netherlands, Informal Care NL, Zorgthuisnl, Verenso, Patients Federation Netherlands, LOC Valuable Care, and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

Also involved are the LHV, the Dutch Healthcare Authority, Healthcare Institute Netherlands, Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, Care Assessment Center, and the Central Administration Office (CAK).