News item | 07-07-2022 | 16:56
Until 2027, the government is making a total of €138 million available for the elaboration of the Future Agenda for care and support for people with disabilities. Of this, €83 million will go to specialized client support and €20 million to healthcare innovation and technology. This is stated in the elaboration of the plans that Minister Helder for Long-term Care and Sport is sending to the House of Representatives today. In this way, the care and support for people with disabilities and an (intensive) care demand is made future-proof, whereby municipalities also have an important responsibility.
Minister Helder: “A disability does not have to be an obstacle to a full life. With the right support and commitment, we can ensure that everyone in society can participate and take control of their own lives.”
Broad deployment of campaigns and parties
People with a mild intellectual disability, people with complex care needs and people living at home with a lifelong disability receive extra attention in the plans. The agenda emphasizes more appropriate care and support for these target groups, focusing on client support, innovation and technology, craftsmanship and the labor market. The agenda for the future has been drawn up together with stakeholders such as umbrella organisations, client and relatives’ organisations, employer organisations, insurers and municipalities. This agenda is a follow-up to the movement initiated with the Full-fledged Living program and expanded with support from municipalities (wmo) such as daytime activities and guidance.
Continuation of specialized client support
Due to a disability it is sometimes complicated to keep control of your own life, there is a lot of help, but people often no longer see the wood for the trees. In recent years, 450 people with a disability and their loved ones have been offered specialized client support, based on 5 pilots of the Full Life programme. The support helps people regain more control over their lives. In addition, informal carers are given more room to pick up their own lives and, for example, to participate in the labor market again. In 2026, approximately 3,000 families and their loved ones can receive support
Deploying innovation route and scaling up technology
Being self-reliant and able to live independently is a great asset, especially if you live with a disability. Technology such as an app that helps young people regulate their stress or a sensor under the mattress that analyzes sleeping behavior can help with this. The condition is that it is in line with the client’s request whether the care worker provides support. The innovation route has been developed for healthcare organizations that want to get started with technology, a scientifically substantiated and practical-tested step-by-step plan that helps them to put innovation into practice. From 2023 to 2027, the government is making more than €20 million available to further stimulate healthcare technology and innovation. With this money, 5 organizations will be supported in scaling up technology throughout the organization and 25 organizations will be supported in implementing a proven technological innovation in their organization.
More regional cooperation to tackle labor market shortages
There is also an urgent shortage of personnel in the care of the disabled. In addition to the broad labor market approach, the government is therefore investing €4 million in a regional collaborative approach between healthcare providers, educational institutions and regional employers’ organisations. With this approach, care providers are encouraged to collaborate regionally, for example in the field of internships, offering combined contracts in care for the disabled and mental health care, exchanging knowledge and expertise and making the sector attractive for students.