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 Province of West-Flanders: Wervik1. SUMMARY 2. PHOTOS 3. CHALLENGE 4. AIM OF THE PROJECT 5. DESCRIPTION 6. LIVING ENVIRONMENT 7. FINANCING/ SUBSIDY/ ADVICE 8. EXPERIENCE 9. TIMING PHOTOS
INITIAL POSITION / CHALLENGE The majority of the senior citizens dislike the thought of going to a retirement home; at the same time the informal care is declining due to the fact that children move away from the region where they were born, or are busy with their own family and work. But with an integral concept there is the possibility to meet the wishes of this increasing group. Elderly persons and those in need of care can continue to live independently longer and postpone having to move to a rest and care home. AIM OF THE PROJECT Offering support to the elderly, people in need of care, and people living alone with depending children. By providing care and services they are encouraged to continue living in a familiar home environment as long as possible. Concrete: creating a complete full-residential service area with adapted housing facilities, a 24-hour care-centre and services in a safe environment. DESCRIPTION 1. Special housing facilities: service-apartments, retirement homes, godshouses for older people ... 2. 24-hour care-centre: The St-Janshospital acts as a day and night care centre . People can also rent an emergency call system which is in contact with the 24-hour-emergency call centre. 3. Services: • Call centre • Home care shop • Grocery shopping service • Grocery delivery service • Ironing service • Cleaning service • Home care shop • Clothing service: outlet and second hand • Transportation service • Meal service • Meeting points • Social and cultural activities • Odd-job service LIVING ENVIRONMENT a PEDESTRIAN CIRCLE was created to enable older and disabled people to walk towards their destination, all by themself. • Important facilities are connected with each other • Every 200 meters there is a resting point • High level of maintenance • Appropriate lighting and social control • Understandable and clear road marking • Snowfree during winter months FINANCING/ SUBSIDY/ ADVICE Various subsidies and grants: • Flemish Community: €49,600 • State Lottery: €8,700 • Province of West-Flanders: €32,226 • King Baudouin Foundation: €1,500 • Social and Cultural Particip.: €900 EXPERIENCE The project is very successful, the OCMW wants to buy and renovate more and more houses. Their aim is two houses per year. The users of the different services are very enthusiastic. The full-service residential area can count on more and more recognition, from residents and administrators alike. There is pressure to expand the area. The problem is manageability. In every sense, the model works. It costs money, but it is cheaper for an authority and for the clients than a rest or care home. New needs are being discovered while elaborating the original concept and new services are being created. TIMING Beginning: January 2004 |
