The collaboration between the residential care centers of Geel and Meerhout, which has a history dating back to 2023, is now taking concrete shape with the establishment of a welfare association. Following a market exploration and an agreement in principle in early 2024, both cities are opting for a joint approach to maintain high-quality, accessible, and affordable elderly care.
The elderly care sector faces significant challenges, including increasing demand for care, rising costs, and complex regulations. By joining forces, the three residential care centers, collectively housing approximately 240 beds, can share knowledge and expertise, bear costs and investments together, and develop specialized support. This collaboration also allows for adapting to new care needs and developing innovative forms of care.
“"The residential care centers in Geel and Meerhout face the same challenges. It makes little sense to tackle them individually. By joining forces, we, as public care providers, can be stronger and use our resources more effectively. Together, we are working towards elderly care that remains affordable and high-quality tomorrow."
The welfare association will be a separate organization in which the local authorities remain involved in policy and organization. In the future, other residential care centers or welfare organizations could also join to build a strong public care organization in the region. Geel and Meerhout will also continue to focus on specialized care, such as the care places that WZC Ter Kempen currently offers to patients from OPZ Geel.
“"By establishing a welfare association, we keep care in public hands, but at the same time, we prepare for the future. This allows us to respond more easily to new care needs and develop new forms of care. We also want to continue the care that Ter Kempen currently provides to patients from OPZ Geel within this collaboration."
On September 28, the social welfare councils of Geel and Meerhout approved the explanatory memorandum for the establishment of a welfare association. Following advice from the Flemish government and final approval on December 14, the welfare association will be established on January 1, 2027. A preparatory year will follow, with the association's effective start planned for January 1, 2028.
