The shortages in nursing, care and home care are skyrocketing. Due to the growing number of patients, corona and a long holiday period, the shortage will reach a peak this summer. Minister Helder of long-term care and sport has set up the program Living, Support and Care for the Elderly (WOZO) to tackle the problem. But is this enough? Shouldn’t there just be a lot more money going to the healthcare sector to tackle the shortages?
The shortages lead to harrowing stories, such as that of Helma’s ninety-year-old motherwho, despite her incontinence, only showers once a week. The staff shortage is a national problem and affects various sectors, but the aging population is increasing the pressure on healthcare even more. The North Holland (home) care institutions Evean, Wilgaerden and Omring confirm this problem.
Shifting necessary care
According to Marjolein Vlaming, Director of Care at Wilgaerden, there is always priority given to care that is really needed† As a result, a client may no longer shower three times a week, as things like wound care and care for someone who is dying are given priority.
WOZO
The WOZO program contains more than 770 million euros to make investments over the next five years that will enable the elderly to live at home longer, remain self-reliant for longer and make greater use of technological innovation. On top of this, the cabinet has reserved money to support the transition in elderly care, and will decide at a later date how that money can best be used.
What do you think? Is the cabinet doing enough with the new WOZO program to cope with the shortages? Or should more money be invested in a rapid change of the current situation?