Dutch start understanding the impact of cutting care costs

Support for the government’s efforts to the costs of care by getting people to do more for themselves and rely less on official sources of support is fading, the Volkskrant reports on Tuesday.

The ‘participation society’ concept, officially launched in September 2013, is supported by just 35% of the population, with 40% opposing the idea, the paper says, quoting figures from research institute Motivaction.

However, earlier Motivaction research in 2011 showed some 43% of the Dutch thought  people should become more self-reliant.

Elderly

From January next year, home help services for the frail elderly and disabled are being sharply reduced and it will be more difficult to get a place in a nursing home. The government wants people to turn to friends, family and neighbours to take up the slack.

‘This survey begs the question if the man in the street is ready for the change,’ Motivaction researcher Bram van der Lelij told the Volkskrant. Until now, attention has focused on how ready local councils are to take over decentralised tasks such as home care.

Although people say they understand that limits must be placed on care provision because of the cost, they are now realising what this means to them, Van der Lelij said.

Neighbours

‘They are being scared off now the policy is becoming concrete and they realise they will have to do more and ask for more help from others,’ he said.

Although most people do not find it difficult to ask family for help, two-thirds are not keen on asking their neighbours.

And while half of the 1,000 people questioned think neighbours should help each other, only 16% are prepared to actually do so.