Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality
Quality of Care for Older People
Population ageing in the Netherlands is leading to an increase in chronic illnesses and a rising demand for care. Currently, 80% of people over the age of 75 live with a chronic condition. At the same time, there is a growing shortage of healthcare staff, with an expected shortfall of nearly 137,000 employees by 2032, particularly in nursing homes and home care. With more treatment options and care delivered at home, healthcare professionals face significant challenges. The Quality of Elderly Care research group is investigating what is needed to provide the best possible care.
The Quality of Elderly Care research group focuses on improving care for older adults across the entire continuum: at home, in hospitals, and in nursing homes. Special attention is given to integrating palliative and curative care for the elderly.
What Does Elderly Care Need?
- More knowledge about aging.
- Insight into the pros and cons of treatment options for older adults.
- Strong communication skills among healthcare professionals to understand and discuss the wishes of older adults.
- Effective collaboration between healthcare professionals.
- Creative solutions to address staff shortages, such as digitalisation and simulation-based education.
- Expertise in home care and treatment for the elderly, covering both acute and long-term care.
Focus Areas
- Educating healthcare students and professionals with an emphasis on elderly care and Higher Professional Nursing (HBO-Verpleegkunde), for example, through academic learning placements.
- Translating scientific research into education on elderly care.
- Applying evidence-based practice in elderly care.
- Developing the expertise of educators in Dutch healthcare training programmes, focusing on elderly care, palliative care, and evidence-based practice.
- Promoting collaboration within elderly care.
- Collecting practical questions from healthcare professionals, with a focus on nursing and caregiving.
Research Questions
- How can existing expertise be utilised to improve the quality of elderly care?
- How can students and professionals be prepared for the challenges in elderly care?
- What is important to both older adults and healthcare professionals in enhancing the quality of elderly care?
- How can the integration of palliative and curative care in elderly care be improved?