News item | 10-10-2025 | 13:30
A change in the law allows family members to apply for and sign for care and support for their loved ones under the Long-term Care Act (Wlz). This is necessary when the client is unable to request care because he/she cannot foresee the consequences, often as a result of dementia. At the moment it is very cumbersome for family members to arrange the right care for their loved ones. This change ensures more involvement of family members in care and fewer delays in organizing care for the client. It also significantly reduces the administrative burden on healthcare providers and provides thousands of hours of care. The change is expected to take effect in 2027.
State Secretary Pouw-Verweij of Health, Welfare and Sport: “It is only logical that family members, who have often been caring for their loved ones for years, are also given the opportunity to submit a care request on their behalf. With this change in the law, we make it easier for people who are no longer able to manage their own affairs to receive the care and support they need. In this way, we are taking a step towards a more human and practical healthcare system.”
Easier to get appropriate care
At this time, family members are not allowed to apply for a Wlz indication. To ensure that the client receives the right care, family members must ask the judge to allow them to become a mentor. The judge often rejects this request because mentorship is considered too drastic for just signing a Wlz application. Moreover, an application for mentorship takes a lot of time and administration. This makes it more difficult for some people who cannot manage their own affairs properly to receive Wlz care.
Less administrative burden
From research by Sira Consulting commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, it appears that the amendment of the law ensures a significant reduction in the regulatory burden for family members and healthcare providers. Healthcare providers no longer have to help with the application for mentorship, spend less time explaining things to loved ones and have to make fewer home visits. Care providers can use this time saving for the actual care of the client. In addition, this creates financial savings for those involved: healthcare providers save approximately €858,600. The calculations also show that the Care Assessment Center (CIZ) will save approximately € 142,000 per year from 2027. The structural savings are expected to be higher after that.