**A. Dutch System of Care and Welfare Acts**

The Dutch system of care and welfare consists of four acts important for elderly: the Health Insurance Act, the Social Act, the Long Term Care Act and the Youth Act.

**The Health Insurance Act** (Zvw) is obliged to provide health insurance to all Dutchmen. Children up to 18 years old are automatically insured with their parents. The healthcare providers are obliged to accept everyone. Funding takes place through a nominal premium and an incomedependent contribution. The basic insurance covers a large number of health risks, including:


• Welfare and medical care must become integrated by taking into account living and hous-

• Well-being is dependent on good quality of integrated care in the neighbourhood, in pri-

• It is worthwhile encouraging a healthy lifestyle to postpone physical, mental and social

• Elderly people advocate cherishing social contacts, counting your blessings and doing your

• Implementation should be a consideration from the start of the project regarding planning,

The increasing ageing populations request innovative policies and initiatives, dedicated professionals, participating elderly and evidence-based procedures. The Dutch National Care for the Elderly Programme focused on frail elderly, who form about one-third of the group of 80 years and are overrepresented among elderly from low social economic status and of those

In this programme, the elderly themselves played a key role in the geriatric networks, in the research projects and in interpreting the outcomes. As a result, the focus of the programme shifted from medical care to care and welfare, and the outcomes were more suited to the needs and wants of the elderly. In schools, colleges and universities where professionals for elderly care and welfare are educated, elderly participated and play a role as patient, guest

Integration of communication and activities of informal caregivers, volunteers and formal caregivers in the neighbourhood, of medical and welfare professionals in primary care, and integration of primary care and hospital care by direct communication between the home-

The implementation of the effective projects is not finished yet. It requests adaptation in new

The continuation of the national programme is realized by the consortium Ageing Better, an organisation of eight organisations. The organisation and its ambassadors are active in spreading the message that ageing is a new phase of life with new possibilities and challenges that request anticipation and preparation, a healthy lifestyle and cherishing social

The enduring outcomes of the initiatives described above deserve the continuous attention of elderly people, professionals, researchers and directors and also of municipalities, healthcare

care nurse and the geriatric nurse in the hospital had positive results.

regions of the professionals and organisations involved.

mary care and with a good integration of hospital and primary care.

ing conditions.

108 Gerontology

**7. Conclusions**

limitations for as long as possible.

budget and participating partners.

best to help other people.

with a migrant background.

lecturer and supervisor.

contacts.

organisations and the government.


Except for a consultation to the general practitioner, an additional contribution is requested for the remaining tasks, the so-called own risk with a maximum of €350 per year.

**The Social Support Act (Wmo)** is implemented by municipalities in the Netherlands and aims to allow citizens to live at home for as long as possible (self-reliance) and to participate in society (participation). The municipalities also have to promote social contacts for people with disabilities: chronic sick, frail elderly and mentally handicapped persons. For certain tasks such as home help, an income-dependent contribution is requested. Each municipality is setting up a social district team where people can seek help.

**Long Term Care Act (WLZ 2015)** provides an integrated package of care and facilities for people who are seriously handicapped and limited, e.g. because of dementia.

Everything that the client needs is provided and arranged, namely:

