Four of the ten most expensive residential care centers in Flanders received a negative inspection report. ‘De Morgen’ writes this today based on figures from the elderly organization Okra, which requested the figures from the Flemish Department of Care.
For example, a room in De Zilverduin in De Haan costs at least 3,770 euros per month, or almost 1,600 euros more than the average price of a room in a residential care center. Despite the high price, inspectors found in January that the rooms were not clean, that there was an odor of urine in the protected section and that the administration of medication was not consistently recorded.
The inspection report also shows an acute staff shortage. When the inspectors visited, a trainee care worker was caring for a corridor with ten residents. A month after the inspection, the Zilverduin was placed under increased supervision. The wzc is part of the Emeis group, the former Orpea.
A room in a residential care center today costs an average of 2,182 euros per month. If it concerns a residential care center under public management, that is 2,045 euros, in commercial institutions you pay an average of 2,296 euros. The 120 commercial sham non-profit organizations are the most expensive with an average monthly price of 2,421 euros.
“Price is no guarantee of quality”
“Price is no guarantee for quality,” says Herman Fonck of Okra. “Of the ten most expensive residential care centers – with a price of more than 3,250 euros per month – there are four with a problematic inspection report. In addition to the Zilverduin, these are James Ensor in Ostend, Sint-Vincentius in Leuven and Prinsenhof in Bruges. Of course, there are also cheaper residential care centers that are on the blacklist, but we mainly see a problem with commercial players.”
A room in a residential care center today costs an average of 2,182 euros per month. If it concerns a residential care center under public management, that is 2,045 euros, in commercial institutions you pay an average of 2,296 euros. The 120 commercial sham non-profit organizations are the most expensive with an average monthly price of 2,421 euros.
Okra points out that the average net pension in January was 1,640 euros per month, according to figures from the Federal Pension Service. This means that an average of 542 euros must be added to the pension every month.
Supplements charged
In addition, several residential care centers still charge supplements, for example for internet connection, cable TV, drinks and food outside of meal times or for washing and ironing personal clothing. The rates for this differ per institution. “I recently saw an invoice from a resident who had requested a waffle during Christmas dinner instead of the cookie that was offered. 1.5 euros extra, because that was ‘food outside the meals’,” says Herman Fonck, chairman of advocacy at the Okra elderly association, in Het Nieuwsblad.
Finally, the Okra Barometer shows that Flemish residential care centers are close to their maximum capacity. The average occupancy rate of Flemish residential care centers is 93.5 percent. However, between now and 2030 there is still a demographic wave of more than 10,000 additional elderly people requiring care.
In February, the Flemish government imposed a ban on profits in elderly care, which will be voted on in May. Minister of Welfare Hilde Crevits (CD&V) is thus keeping a promise she made after a fuss arose about Orpea.
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Tags: Residential care centers Flanders expensive pay extra extras euros waffle cookie Christmas dinner Domestic
