But how are we going to solve this problem?

One of the ideas to solve this problem is that the elderly live at home longer. If possible, at least, and with or without help. This idea stems from a mix of social, economic and health factors. It has developed slowly over the past decades and politics and policy in the Netherlands are also aimed at allowing the elderly to live independently for as long as possible. Living at home longer has advantages and disadvantages. In this article you can read the advantages, the disadvantages can be found here later.

1. Quality of life and independence
The elderly indicate that they prefer to continue living at home in order to maintain their independence and continue their daily routines. The familiarity of their environment promotes a sense of control and stability, which is crucial for their happiness in life.

2. Social connectedness
Living at home promotes social interaction, which allows the elderly to stay in touch with friends and family. This helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and contributes to better mental health.

3. Person-centered care
Home care can be more tailored to the personal needs of elderly. With the right support from caregivers, elderly can benefit from care that is more in line with their needs and interests.

4. Cost-effectiveness
Home care is often less expensive than institutional care, which is an important consideration for both families and the health care system. It can reduce financial pressure and improve the quality of care.

5. Health benefits
Living at home longer can help elderly remain more physically active, depending on their health status and the availability of support.

6. Benefits to the health system
Living at home longer reduces the burden on healthcare institutions and promotes preventive care. This can help manage chronic conditions and prevent hospitalizations.

Today, care is much more focused on organizing the environment around someone so that they can continue to live at home longer. For example, through community support and care, regular home visits by various caregivers, support for and by informal caregivers and adapting the home to ensure safe living. Technological developments such as advances in online communication, remote monitoring devices and smart home technology also enable caregivers to monitor health statistics, provide virtual support and respond to emergencies. All of these technological advances can complement each other to make home care safer and more feasible than before.

In addition, we see a shift, that there is a growing recognition for ‘growing old with dignity', which emphasizes the importance of elderly being able to grow old in a way that suits their preferences and rights. And the choice to want to live at home is therefore increasingly seen as a dignified and person-centered approach to growing old.

Curious about the disadvantages? Read about it in this article.