The complexity of elderly care requires motivated and critical-thinking students and healthcare professionals who are willing and able to improve quality. This research group contributes to this goal.

Marjon van Rijn

Professor Quality of Care for Older People

What does elderly care need?

• More knowledge about ageing.
• Insight into the pros and cons of treatment options for older adults.
• Good communication skills from healthcare professionals to understand and discuss the wishes of elderly individuals.
• Effective collaboration among healthcare professionals.
• Creative solutions for staff shortages, such as digitalisation and simulation-based education.
• Expertise in the care and treatment of elderly people at home, both in acute and long-term care.

Focus areas

• Training healthcare students and professionals with an emphasis on elderly care and higher vocational education in nursing, for example in academic learning workplaces.
• Translating scientific research into education on elderly care.
• Applying evidence-based practice in elderly care.
• Professionalising lecturers in Dutch healthcare training programmes, with a focus on elderly care, palliative care, and evidence-based practice.
• Encouraging collaboration in elderly care.
• Collecting practical questions from healthcare professionals, with a focus on nursing and care.

Research questions

• How can existing expertise be used to improve the quality of elderly care?
• How do you prepare students and professionals for the challenges in elderly care?
• What is important for older adults and healthcare professionals when improving the quality of elderly care?
• How can the integration of palliative and curative care in elderly care be improved?