Drenthe takes action to adapt housing for aging population with new care collaboration
Drenthe is boosting efforts to ensure seniors can live independently longer by improving housing and care coordination. With one in four households soon headed by someone over 75, the province and Zilveren Kruis are appointing a regional manager to drive practical solutions for accessible homes and support.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Parties Involved | Province of Drenthe, Zilveren Kruis Zorgkantoor, municipalities, care providers, housing corporations |
| New Role | Regional process manager for housing and care |
| Current Senior Households | 1 in 6 households headed by someone over 75 |
| Projected Senior Households | Nearly 1 in 4 households in 10 years |
| Focus Areas | Adapting existing homes, new housing types, neighborhood support solutions |
| Team Integration | Regional manager joins Province’s Impulse Team for Housing |
The Province of Drenthe is responsible for regional development, including housing and care policies, ensuring that infrastructure meets the needs of its residents. Zilveren Kruis Zorgkantoor manages healthcare procurement and ensures that care remains accessible and tailored to the population’s evolving demands.
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Province of Drenthe and Zilveren Kruis Zorgkantoor strengthen collaboration on housing and care
The Province of Drenthe and Zilveren Kruis Zorgkantoor are stepping up their collaboration to better align housing and care. With more and more seniors choosing to live at home for longer, their homes are not always equipped to meet these needs. To address this, both parties are appointing a regional process manager for housing and care. This role will work with municipalities, care providers, and housing corporations to develop practical solutions for suitable housing and support close to home.
Concrete steps in the region
This includes adapting existing homes, building new types of housing, or developing neighbourhoods where people can continue to live independently for longer. Strong collaboration between care providers and informal caregivers can also make a significant difference. Together with municipalities, the best approach for each local situation will be explored.
The urgency is clear: the number of seniors in Drenthe is set to rise sharply in the coming years. Currently, one in six households is headed by someone over 75; in ten years, this will be nearly one in four. This calls for decisions that must be made today. Deputy Yvonne Turenhout says: “We need to organise housing and care together from the start, rather than trying to align them afterwards. With this collaboration, we can work with municipalities, housing corporations, and builders to make the right choices.”
From insight to action
The regional process manager will join the Province of Drenthe’s Impulse Team for Housing. This team supports municipalities, housing corporations, and other partners in creating more, different, and better housing in Drenthe. Regional process manager Dinie Westerveld says: “Together with stakeholders, I will assess what is needed so that plans actually result in homes and facilities that meet people’s needs.”
Role of Zilveren Kruis
Zilveren Kruis Zorgkantoor is contributing expertise on today’s and tomorrow’s care, and is helping to design housing solutions tailored to the support needs of seniors. Suitable housing is essential for the shift from institutional care to everyday life. By ensuring enough appropriate housing options, care will remain accessible and affordable, both now and in the future. Zilveren Kruis is working with care providers to build a future-proof care landscape.