10%
200 out of 2,100 residents are members
Dutch Village Care Co-ops
Helping people stay in their community.
Involves: professionals, volunteers, village community
Context: Care services are funded through a national insurance system.
Cost: ?
Hoogeloon in the municipality of Bladel in North Brabant province has just over 2,100 residents. In 2005, the first care co-operative in the Netherlands was set up there. The cooperative and its 200 members work to preserve and develop care services and facilities. As a result, senior citizens, the chronically ill and disabled people can continue to live in their own village, even when demand for care increases.
How does it work?
- The co-op provides services in the fields of consultations, meals, domestic aid, garden maintenance, transport and day care
- It uses a mix of professionals and volunteers
- Volunteers help with weekly lunches or training people in using mobility scooters
- The whole village is encouraged to help shape services and what else the co-op could provide
- 14 homes for seniors and a support centre for seniors from the entire village was built in 2008/09, working with a housing association
Find out more about the Dutch Village Co-op and how it works, inspired by a history of agricultural co-ops!
14
senior homes and support centre built
