More and more elderly care institutions are experiencing financial difficulties. If nothing changes, bankruptcy will be inevitable, according to accounting firm BDO.
In het kort
- De ouderenzorg kent steeds meer geldproblemen en faillissementen zijn onvermijdelijk.
- Minder inkomsten, hogere uitgaven en bezuinigingen leiden tot problemen.
- De kwaliteit van zorgverlening staat onder stevige druk.
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The office has looked at the annual reports of 789 organizations in the field of aged care, and finds that financial problems there are increasing. Institutions saw their profits halve last year compared to the previous year: from 533 to 263 million euros.
Therefore, more and more enterprises are experiencing loss. Of the organizations surveyed, 238 ended up in the red zone last year. This is 40 percent more than the previous year.
This is due to the combination of low income and high expenses. Many organizations spend more on staff, partly because they have to hire relatively expensive freelancers. High energy costs, high absenteeism due to illness, and staff shortages also create problems.
The Council of Ministers imposes cuts
Meanwhile, income is declining. For example, starting next year, institutions will receive less money to house people in need. The government also plans a 1.2% cut. This percentage will continue to increase in subsequent years. There is also pressure from health insurance companies to keep prices low.
“A financially unsustainable situation looms,” says Mike Tagaj of BDO Accountants & Advisers. “Loss of quality and bankruptcies are lurking.” He fears there will be less time for personal attention, daytime activities or quality care for the elderly. “It is quite alarming and does not bode well for the coming years. Government intervention is necessary.”
Moreover, because of these problems, institutions are increasingly forced to use informal caregivers. In addition, there is a lack of funds for necessary investments in areas such as sustainability and automation.
