Maastricht area plans 30 care zones to tackle loneliness

In the Maastricht-Heuvelland area of Limburg, care agencies and insurance companies plan to create 30 residential care zones to address loneliness among older individuals and enable them to live independently for longer. This initiative, called the Deltaplan Maastricht Heuvelland, brings together municipalities, health insurers, residents, hospitals, and elderly care advocacy agencies.

With €33.4 million from health insurers CZ and VGZ, 19 of the 30 zones are currently under development, and the remaining will be operational by next year. Petra Lamberts, chair of Deltaplan, explains that traditional nursing homes are no longer the only solution, as the goal is to keep older people living at home much longer, provided it is safe.

The zones will also host more activities, such as shared communal living rooms, to combat loneliness. Lamberts states that loneliness can predict the need for care, and participating in activities can distract individuals and encourage them to use their skills. Moreover, informal carers, like family members, may occasionally delegate some of their tasks to avoid overburdening themselves.

The region's population is aging faster than the rest of the country, with one in four residents of South Limburg expected to be over 65 by 2030. A year of home care costs around €12,000, while a year in a nursing home exceeds €100,000.