Presentation Gold For Old

Policies for Older People care In Europe: ‘Gold for Old’ The Rotterdam Example

Anthony Polychronakis

Rotterdam in Numbers Geography

Age Distribution in Rotterdam

Rotterdam with deal with a Double Aging problem in the coming years. 16% of Rotterdam is 65+ BRP-OBI | 2022

Predicted % of 65+ | 2022-2040

In 2040, 18.2% of Rotterdam are expected to be 65+. The largest growth will be in the 75+ group.

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4 Pillars of Dutch Healthcare

Organized by National Government and Insurance Companies

Organised by Local Governments

• Health Insurance Act

• Social Support Act

• Long-Term Care Act

• Youth Care Act

Note: Almost all of the healthcare in the Netherlands is provided by publicly financed, private companies

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1. Health Insurance Act • Anything that can be cured (or treated) • Access is determined by professional judgement (doctors mainly) • Paid partly by insurance fees, but mostly by taxes • Main part of the budget goes to hospitals and medication, GP’s and district nursing amount to only 15% of the budget

2. Long-term care act • Only for people who have a life-long care dependancy • A specialized national organization (CIZ) determines the care needs and decides how much care someone gets • Paid for a small part by citizens own contribution, but mostly by taxes • Nursery homes, homes for the disabled (mentally or fysically) and people who need 24/7 care in proximity for example people with severe psychiatric illness (without intensive treatment) • Municipality cooperates to keep a good balance between both systems

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3. Youth Act • • • •

Support for youth and their families (0-23 years) Assessment of needs is done by local professionals or GP Paid through taxes -> ‘free’ for citizens Prices are determined by local government, (minimal) 3 yearly procurement (combined with 15 other municipalities in our region) • Includes most care for youth with psychological (or psychiatric) problems or behavioural problems

4. Social Support Act • • • • •

Support for adults (>17,5) Assessment of needs by local professionals, not GP’s or medical people Payment by taxes and (mostly small) own contributions citizens Prices are determined by local government Accent on the selfreliance of the citizens, basic care (specialized care only if needed) • Also housekeeping help and transportation for elderly and disabled • Also many other products like a wheelchair or home modifications so people with an ability can live in their own home

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The New Agenda: “Oud voor Goud” (Old for Gold) The program has 4 main pillars:

Prevention

Wellbeing

Ambition: Activate citizens to embrace healthy lifestyles in preparation for later in life, by:

Helping older persons use their talents for the good of society, which also works to fight loneliness.

Engaging in Dialogue with Older Persons • Especially those of retirement age, a key moment in aging • Also focus on Migration backgrounds, who are often vulnerable in areas such as health and housing

Improving Perceptions • Perceptions of elderly need to be reframed around their talents and strengths

Focusing on Vitality • Enriching awareness of and knowledge about the importance of lifestyle • Improve the adoption of the accessible fallprevention programs

Stimulate restaurants in neighborhood- and carefacilities • Also improve awareness and use of these social spaces Talent Development • Help older persons rediscover their talents • Helps to improve social networks amongst older persons

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The New Agenda: “Oud voor Goud” (Old for Gold) Living

Care

Ambition: Every citizen should be able age comfortably in their own neighborhood, by:

Helping older persons through:

Ensuring there is sufficient and appropriate housing • Five key locations have been designated for the development of senior living and care concepts. Improving housing mobility • Many older people indicate a willingness to move to more appropriate housing, but not outside their neighborhood Supporting elderly through social “Huismeesters” • Function as a stepping stone between older people and the corporations that own the housing Expanding the Thuisplusflats

Suitable care and support: • A pilot project will be launched in Thuisplusflats, training healthcare professionals to conduct Wmo (Social Support Act) assessments for the elderly, with outcomes and impacts closely monitored. Dementia Friendly Approach: • Training for professionals in identification and treatment of dementia through e-learning. • Support informal caregivers and increase accessibility of information, good practices and activities for dementia.

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Thank you! Questions?

Anthony Polychronakis European Liaison Officer City of Rotterdam Team International Relations and European Subsidies Tel: +31 6 10036983

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