With all these changes in healthcare, bottlenecks can arise. Three bottlenecks are highlighted and a suitable solution is given for this.
1. I don’t know what I’ll be entitled to later
Some people have been less entitled to home help since 2015. That differs per municipality. Not quite sure what’s hanging over your head yet? Do not wait for the information to come your way, but go to the Social Support Office of your municipality. They can tell you more there.
With regard to home care: if you have an indication, it will continue as usual. You will therefore not suddenly have to deal with other care or another provider on 1 January. When the indication expires, the district nurse will visit you to determine what care you need (from 2016).
2. I don’t dare to ask for help
Many people are hesitant to ask their children, friends or neighbors for (more) help. For example, because they are afraid of putting someone on the line or of being told ‘no’. If asking for help is difficult, you could ask: “Would you like to help me think about how I can ensure that things continue to run smoothly?” Children or neighbors can then offer help, but they can also play an important role in arranging volunteers, for example. Would you prefer help from someone who is a bit ‘further away’ and who would like to help? A volunteer organization in your area can be found via www.mezzo.nl/adresindebuurt.
3. I no longer get enough home help (or even at all)
If you receive a letter from your municipality stating that you will receive less home help (or that home help will even be discontinued completely), you do not have to accept that. Make an appointment with the Wmo counter in your municipality and explain why you think the decision is incorrect. There are also Wmo lawyers who can file a case.
on www.mijnkwaliteitvanleven.nl (a website of the NPCF patient federation) you can map in advance how you are doing, what is important to you, what you can still do yourself (possibly with the help of informal carers) and for which you really need support from the municipality ( but also of any volunteers). In this way you are well prepared for the meeting with the municipality, the general practitioner and/or district nurse. You can also call the NPCF Care Line for advice: T 030-291 67 77.
Tip
If you need help and someone says: “I would like to help”, make it concrete. Explain what needs to be done (shopping, housekeeping, cooking) and ask what task he or she would like to take on.
Tip
The government has a telephone number for questions about changes in healthcare: Information Point Long-term Care and Youth, T 0800-0126.
Thanks to Petra Schout (patient federation NPCF) and Fleur Kusters (Mezzo, national association for informal carers and volunteer care).
Sources):
- Plus Magazine
