New perspectives on Age Care:
the example of Holland

From May 19 to 24, Dialog Health organized a program on Health and Longevity (Long Life) in the Netherlands. In this program, different groups of Brazilian leaders in health and elderly care service involved themselves in Dutch health care system, focusing on their long-term care devices.

They had four intense days of technical visits, where Dutch representatives introduced the way the Dutch health care work, handling the challenges of old age concerning their populations, trying to learn and understand the reasons behind their successes.

Their representatives engaged in very good conversations discussing major key actors in the policies of Integrated Care and Long-term Care, particularly in supporting people suffering from dementias.

With the theme been longevity with quality of life, the Netherlands has a very clear experience of user-centered innovations. The panel of institutions visited provided ia clear understanding into the functioning of Dutch health policies, ranging from the ministerial perspectives on health observation and innovation, as well as measures put in place by a diverse set of long-term care poles.

The visit to the Dementia Village of Hogeweyk was pointed out as especially relevant by most representatives. Details of the architectural design, its policies of care and its shared governance were presented, revealing the secret of this institution worldwide recognized for its success in making the lives of people with severe dementia normal.

This study trip was a great opportunity for participants to observe the development and practical implementation of the new Dutch trends in the health care and support of the elderly population.

Congratulations to these pioneers, leaders committed to the continuous improvement of their organizations and the Brazilian health system as a whole!