News item | 10-07-2025 | 17:00
Sixteen organizations involved in the support and care of the elderly today have reinforced the Ouderenzorg Ouderenzorg (HLO). With this they officially express their support for the agreements made to keep help for the elderly available, now and in the future. The elderly must be able to count on support and care that is ready for them if they need it. However, this is under pressure. Due to the aging population, the demand for care doubles, but the number of care providers is not growing sufficiently. With the agreements in this Ouderenzorg Elderly Care Agreement, the parties jointly commit to reducing this pressure.
In a worthy way older
State Secretary Pouw-Verweij: “In practice, people already feel that more and more elderly people need support and care every day. Ultimately, it is all about people being older in a worthy way. Quality of existence is central. We ensure that care staff can focus on the actual support and care for the elderly who need it the most.”
Care at home that fits with what older people want and can do
Many elderly people can and want to live independently in their familiar environment for as long as possible. Even if there are more restrictions and the demand for care increases. The starting point for elderly people living at home is that the support and care are in line with what they want and can do. In collaboration with the people around them, a lot is often possible. Agreements have been made about strengthening the independence of the elderly (Rabblement) and extra support for caregivers. Also in the future, when determining the required Wlz care, it will be looked broader than the clinical picture. Care and support must match the personal living situation of the elder.
Nursing home available when needed
There can be a moment when living at home really is no longer possible. Then a place must be available in a nursing home. It has been agreed that the Nederland Healthcare Institute – with the organizations involved – will develop one national test to determine whether moving to a home in a nursing home is necessary. This prevents very vulnerable elderly people who need this care most unnecessary on a waiting list.
More time for care through less administration
About one in three care hours in the nursing homes goes to administration. The goal is to have brought this back to one in five in 2030. This is done, among other things, by simplifying the re -indication for residents of nursing homes. Healthcare providers are also supported by the use of technology and we work on better data exchange.
Healthy Finance
With this agreement we succeeded in largely reversing an earlier agreed discount up to 660 million in 2030 on elderly care. Moreover, more than 100 million extra a year is available for investments, including training. This gives healthcare providers extra financial room to guarantee the accessibility of care for the most vulnerable elderly people. Earlier, the current cabinet already deleted the discounts for 2024 and 2025. The net available budget for elderly care in the Wlz will grow by € 3.4 billion in the coming years from € 21.0 billion in 2025 to € 24.4 billion in 2029.
Sixteen organizations involved
This agreement was signed on 10 July by the following organizations: Actiz, LOL Valuable Care, Patient Federation Nederland, Senior Coalition, Verenso, ZorghuisNL, Zorgverzekeraars Nederland. Social Work Nederland, V&VN and the VNG, support the direction of the HLO and the related package of substantive and financial agreements. These organizations present HLO in conjunction with the AZWA negotiating agreement with a positive advice to their supporters. If the members agree, they will sign the HLO together with the AZWA. In addition, the Dutch Healthcare Authority, the Netherlands Care Institute, the Healthcare and Youth Inspectorate, the CIZ and the CAK are closely involved in implementation.
Additional care & welfare negotiating agreement
The HLO and the supplementary care and welfare negotiating agreement (AZWA) are in line with each other and reinforce each other. The entire care is used to reduce administrative burdens and reduce the staff shortage in healthcare. The elderly are extra supported by the strengthening of facilities in the neighborhood, for example for people with (starting) dementia. Access to palliative care is also improved.
In addition, the Ministries of Health, Welfare and Sport and VRO work together with a large number of parties on a program that focuses on the realization of extra homes for the elderly (with a need for care). The aim is to realize 290,000 homes for the elderly up to and including 2030. VWS also conducts research into the return of the care homes.