Across the Netherlands, healthcare institutions, particularly those focused on elderly and disability care, are facing severe staffing shortages. This crisis has led manny facilities to increasingly rely on the support of family members to maintain adequate care levels. The trend, while welcomed by some, raises concerns about emotional burdens and the sustainability of the healthcare system.

the Growing Need for Family Involvement

The demand for family assistance has surged as institutions grapple with fewer staff and a growing population needing care. De Wever, an elderly care institution, openly requested family members to assist at the end of March, highlighting the immediate need for support. This plea underscores a broader strategy already in motion at many facilities.

for several years, many healthcare institutions have been actively involving family members in patient care. This proactive approach is becoming increasingly vital as staff shortages worsen and the demand for care continues to rise. Institutions are acknowledging that this trend is more and more the norm.

Impact of Halting Self-Employed Staffing

Adding to the strain, many organizations, including De Wever, have ceased hiring self-employed individuals to comply with stricter regulations aimed at preventing the misclassification of workers. The tax authorities have been enforcing these rules more rigorously since January. Four healthcare institutions confirmed that they have also made calls to family members in recent months due to the rising staff shortage.

Simple Actions, Important Impact

The transition has not been without its challenges. Laurens, another elderly care institution, experienced a critical staffing shortage around the May holiday, necessitating the temporary relocation of clients. Because temporary workers were also not available, explained matthijs Overdijk, director of Wonen with Zorg.

In response,Laurens issued a call for family assistance,emphasizing that many tasks in nursing homes do not require specialized care. These tasks include preparing meals, making beds, and supervising common areas. Overdijk stated, We think it is very vital, even with a view to the not too colorful work figures in the future, to go through life with family to the end.

One laurens care institution has even created an app group to coordinate assistance from informal caregivers. While volunteers are often available in the mornings, finding help in the late afternoon proves more challenging, a critical time for care staff. One volunteer noted, And that is a time when it is indeed very busy for care staff. If you come to help, they can’t thank you enough.

Concerns of ‘Emotional Blackmail’

While many family members are willing to help, some express indignation at the increasing demands. Marcel van der Priem, director of de Wever, acknowledges these mixed reactions, noting that employees often feel burdened to ask for help. He says that they hear, Are you for that? or don’t you know how heavy we are?

Foundation Mantelzorijk recognizes the growing frustration among informal caregivers. Director marjolijn Bruurs points out that caregivers are frequently enough overloaded when a loved one moves to a care institution. It’s a kind of emotional blackmail, because you don’t want yoru family to be without care, so you do it anyway. But you just don’t get to yourself anymore.

MantelzorgNL, an umbrella institution for informal care, also reports increasing demands on caregivers. While welcoming voluntary assistance, the organization stresses that it cannot be the norm that caregivers jump in when the care falters.

A ‘Wake-Up Call’ for the System

Despite the concerns, institutions maintain that family involvement is crucial. It is indeed not that family members can solve the deficits, but the extra help is welcome, says Van der Priem of De Wever. He hopes the current situation serves as a kind of wake-up call, that in the Netherlands we cannot do all support with professionals anymore. Actually, it should be very normal for loved ones to contribute to the well-being of their parents, just like at home.

The Looming Crisis

In 2023, the Netherlands faced a shortage of approximately 44,000 care workers. Projections indicate that this deficit could exceed 250,000 by 2034, according to figures shared by Minister Agema. Simultaneously, the number of potential caregivers is dwindling.

A report by The State Committee Demographic Developments 2050 investigated these trends. In 1950, there were 62 potential caregivers for every 85-year-old. By 2022, this number had dropped to 14, and projections estimate a further decline to just five by 2050. This decline is attributed to smaller family sizes and the increasing longevity of the elderly, who require care for extended periods.