Local Service Centers Become 'Neighborhood Houses': 'Giving Seniors Every Opportunity to Stay Home'

Flemish Minister of Welfare Caroline Gennez is initiating a significant reform to transform local service centers into "Neighborhood Houses." This initiative aims to strengthen social cohesion by better connecting residents with essential care services, ultimately allowing the elderly and vulnerable populations to remain in their homes independently for longer.

Currently, local service centers serve as accessible meeting points that bolster community bonds, with a particular focus on seniors and those in need. As "Neighborhood Houses," they will expand their collaborative efforts to include general practitioners, home care providers, welfare organizations, and volunteers. This enhanced network will enable the centers to proactively reach out to individuals, identifying potential care needs before they become critical.

Furthermore, healthcare professionals such as occupational therapists will utilize the "Neighborhood Houses" as bases from which to guide individuals in maintaining their independence at home. Minister Gennez expressed her commitment to ensuring that people have "every opportunity to grow old in their own home, in their own street, and among the people they know." She stressed that this requires not only adequate care but also a supportive neighborhood where people know and help each other.

The reform is currently being developed and is slated for a phased implementation starting in 2028. Minister Gennez is allocating additional resources for this project, though the exact budget is still under negotiation. The initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to elder care and community support within Flanders.

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We want to give people every opportunity to grow old in their own home, in their own street and among the people they know. This requires, of course, good care, but just as much a strong neighborhood where people know and help each other.