Rising daily prices in residential care centers: “Residents have to work on their savings”

Due to higher inflation, prices rise with the index. An adjustment is now allowed temporarily every six months. Up to 8 percent can be added. Fluctuating energy prices are also disadvantageous.

Residential care group Curando in Ruiselede, which has 9 centers, will increase the daily price by 5.5 percent. The Montena residential care group in Roeselare, to which the WZC De Zilverberg also belongs, has not yet made a decision. The residents wait anxiously.

“What if you don’t have any savings?”

“I now pay 64.50 euros, but if I had to add something else, that would be heavy. Many do not have a large pension and then you have to add up with your savings. But what if you have no savings?” the residential care center De Zilverberg.

The government pays the wages of the workers, but the residents pay a daily rate. Anyone who can pay the daily rate with their pension is in the right place, because the pension increases with it. Most people need to get their savings. “That is the majority of people. In order to keep up with current inflation, that money must be well invested,” says Dirk Lips of Curando. “In the worst case, the family will have to make amends or the CPAS.”

The healthcare budget also urgently needs to be increased. That would happen in two years’ time, but for some groups it may be earlier. “I think the conversation needs to take place. How will we ensure that we live in a society where no old people live in poverty. It is topical and urgent.”