The minister calls on residential care centers to call in external help from experts, and she gives money for this

Such a counselor assists a resident with regard to malnutrition, oral hygiene, fall prevention or the use of sleeping pills and sedatives. In Zorg en Welzijn Kuurne it is dietician Isabel who successfully keeps a finger on the pulse, in a project of the Flemish government in which 90 West Flemish residential care centers have joined. Minister of Welfare Hilde Crevits is now extending the project until 2028.

There are also experts for fall prevention, oral hygiene and the use of antidepressants and sleeping pills. This guidance can also prevent a bad inspection report. Hilde Crevits, Minister of Welfare: “One of the reasons why there is sometimes increased supervision is the improper use of medicines. This project has no direct link of course. But obviously, if you bring in outside expertise to see how you can reduce usage, it will have a positive impact.”

(continue reading below the photo)

Here they didn’t feel there was a problem with nutrition, but they wanted to make sure. And it was scary. 45% of residents were at risk of malnutrition. “My appeal is to all Flemish residential care centres: let yourself be guided by external experts for a number of tricky themes. It works well, also for the team. You can make big profits and Flanders pays the costs.”