Leiderdorp pilots innovative housing to help elderly live independently longer
Leiderdorp is testing a new housing concept to support its aging population. Residents of Huis ter Does can now access care, social interaction, and well-being services on-site, helping them stay independent while combating loneliness and inefficiencies in care delivery.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Huis ter Does residential complex, Leiderdorp, Zuid-Holland |
| Initiators | Zorg-Vuldig (Marja Sinteur) and Pro-Cura (Renate Tuijten) |
| Key Partners | Municipality of Leiderdorp, Woonzorg Nederland, ActiVite, Incluzio |
| Goal | Enable elderly to live independently longer with integrated care/support |
| Focus Areas | Care, social interaction, mutual support, efficient service coordination |
| Trial Duration | Ongoing (start date not specified) |
| Resident Involvement | Residents help each other; shared spaces for activities and meetings |
| Potential Expansion | Possible rollout to other residential complexes if successful |
The municipality of Leiderdorp plays a key role in facilitating local initiatives that address aging and care challenges. By collaborating with housing corporations, care providers, and residents, it aims to create sustainable solutions for independent living. Woonzorg Nederland, as a senior housing provider, supports these efforts by integrating housing, care, and well-being services.
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Trial allows elderly to live independently longer in Leiderdorp
A group photo of the cooperation agreement A trial has begun for a housing concept inspired by the Lang Leven Thuisflats in the Amsterdam region. The aim of the trial is to enable Leiderdorp residents to live independently for longer in the Huis ter Does residential complex. They retain control while having access to care, well-being, and social interaction close by. Leiderdorp is aging faster than the national average. More and more elderly people are living independently, often with a growing need for assistance. “This calls for smart solutions,” says alderman Daan Binnendijk. “With this trial in Huis ter Does, we are exploring how to better align care, well-being, and housing. It fully aligns with our ambition to enable vital aging. This means support where needed and space where possible.”
Supporting each other
The initiative comes from care entrepreneurs Marja Sinteur of Zorg-Vuldig and Renate Tuijten of Pro-Cura. They were inspired by similar projects in the country and saw opportunities in Leiderdorp as well. “In apartment buildings, you sometimes see multiple cars from different care organizations parked outside,” says Sinteur. “Everyone does their job with dedication, but not always in sync. This wastes time for employees, residents, and informal caregivers. With the staff shortages we face, we need to organize things differently. By working smarter together, we can reclaim time for what truly matters: attention and well-being.”
Residents helping each other
The trial in Huis ter Does focuses not only on care but also on social interaction and mutual involvement. First, it looks at what residents can do themselves and how they can help each other. Then comes the network within the complex, followed by professional care only where necessary. Residents retain their independent homes and freedom to choose their care provider. Renate adds: “It’s about taking control. Sometimes that means practical help with groceries or a small job, sometimes just a chat or organizing an activity together. It may seem small, but it makes a world of difference in daily life.” The shared space in Huis ter Does therefore plays a central role in the trial. Here, residents can meet, organize activities, and launch initiatives. This space forms the heart of the community. Housing corporation Woonzorg Nederland also sees significant added value in this. As a senior housing provider, the corporation already works with the G’oud Geregeld concept, which emphasizes collaboration between housing, care, and well-being.
Local collaboration
The trial is the result of collaboration among parties with strong ties to Leiderdorp. In addition to the municipality and Woonzorg Nederland, participants include Incluzio Leiderdorp, Wijksamenwerkingsverband Leiderdorp, ActiVite, Pro-Cura, Zorg-Vuldig, and Zorgkantoor Zorg en Zekerheid, as well as the residents themselves. Project leader Nadine van Huuksloot: “Over the past year and a half, we’ve worked on a joint plan where all parties could contribute ideas on what is needed and how the concept can work locally. It’s this collaborative preparation that makes it strong. Everyone feels a sense of shared ownership.” ActiVite takes on a larger role in coordinating care and well-being within the complex. Through better alignment, fewer duplicate visits, and services like an on-site nursing consultation, support is more organized and efficient.
A possible follow-up
If the trial succeeds, more residential complexes may follow. “This is forward-thinking,” says Sinteur. “We are addressing what will be needed in the future. So that people in Leiderdorp can age with respect, attention, and connection. Independently, but not alone.” With the trial in Huis ter Does, Leiderdorp demonstrates that the future of aging is not just about care but about community. About truly seeing each other. And about the belief that living together can be more than just sharing a roof. The trial in Huis ter Does brings care, well-being, and social interaction together.