A firm clients' perspectivein the National Care for the Elderly

Program

Nynke Wilbrink, CSOThe Netherlands

• Grant program of 80 million Euros• Commissioned by the ministry of Health,

Welfare and Sports• ZonMw provides the grants and directs the

program • Aimed at improving care for and wellbeing of

(the most vulnerable) senior citizens• Needs of senior citizens are leading

National Care for the Elderly Program (NCEP)

Improving care and wellbeing• 8 regional networks: academic

hospitals, GP’s, homes for the elderly, local councils, health insurers, welfare organisations, senior citizens organisations, etc, etc..

• Partners in the networks develop projects which they submit in the grand programme

• 58 projects are approved and have started

Senior citizens are in the lead ! (?)

Why?Real improvements are only possible when they suit the needs of the person they are aimed at. Seniors themselves know best what they need.

How?Participation of senior citizens in the networks and projects is made

compulsory to be eligible for funding of the network and the projects

Elderly delegations

• 10-20 senior citizens per network

• Mostly an advising role

• Some delegations have veto rights to approve or disapprove projects

I’d like to introduce…

Supporting the senior citizens in the networksCSO project: a firm clients perspective:

Aimed at empowering senior citizens in the networks

How?• Community of learning• Handbook• Workshops• Vision document: care and wellbeing in 2025 from the senior

citizens perspective• Master class client participation for researchers• Book with good practices op partnerships in projects• Partnership model and partnership scan

Is client participation in the NCEP a best practice?

Yes and no

Let’s reflect!

Succes:1. In all networks client participation has taken

shape

2. In all projects client participation has taken shape

3. Some projects are initiated by senior citizens

4. It has become more naturally to involve senior citizens themselves in projects.

5. As a result of that the focus within the program has shifted from medical orientated projects to more wellbeing orientated projects

6.

Lessons learned

Client participation is a complex process!

• Who is participating?

• From reactive to proactive

• Time is essential

• Attitude towards participation

• Knowledge of participation

• Role of the grant provider is very important

Conclusion:

• Within the NCEP senior citizens have had an important role

• Client participation is a learning process for everyone involved

• Partnerships between the elderly and professionals can be a joy and be very inspiring

Thank you!

Cycle within the networks