More and more elderly people in the Netherlands only stay at care institutions for short periods of time, causing the number of clients to drop in 1 out of 5 such businesses. According to the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), this is because older citizens continue choosing to receive care at home.

According to RIVM’s new figures, the number of elderly receiving long-term care from home rose from 34,000 in 2018 to 78,000 in 2024. The home-based care has reportedly also become more intensive. In the meantime, the number of people who stay at care institutions for longer than 5 years fell by 5 percent, and the number of those who stay for less than 3 months has doubled.

However, the rise in people staying at home coincides with those receiving care at institutions. The number of patients at the care centers rose from 112,000 in 2018 to 127,000 in 2024. According to the RIVM, that is because more people officially entered old age that year.

Overall, there are more postponements than cancellations when it comes to elderly eventually staying at institutions after receiving care at home. People now usually wait until staying at home is no longer considered possible.

Nevertheless, 1 in 5 care institutions saw a drop in the number of clients between 2018 and 2024. At some locations, there is just not enough demand anymore.

“Elderly people are asking for care that fits them: at home as long as possible, as independently as possible, and with an important role for their social network,” Long-Term Care Minister Mirjam Sterk said in response to RIVM’s report. “This research confirms that elderly care is responding well to that changing demand.”

“It is extremely important that we all keep a close eye on what actually helps elderly people most. Fortunately we have financial room and solid agreements in the Outline Agreement on Elderly Care,” Sterk said. “With that firm foundation and additional agreements, we can reform elderly care together in a smart and effective way.