The Knowledge Center for Welfare, Housing, and Care (Kenniscentrum WWZ), together with the King Baudouin Foundation, recently organized a study day to explore how to implement inclusive care for elderly people with a migration background in nursing homes.
Olivia Vanmechelen explained the concept of culturally sensitive care, highlighting that it begins with recognizing and respecting the unique “sub-identities” that make each individual special. She noted that while many care centers still struggle to reflect the diversity of their resident populations, progress is being made.
Cynthia van Thiel illuminated the success factors for implementing inclusive care policies. “We must create respectful spaces that accommodate the different habits and needs of nursing home residents,” she emphasized. Cynthia described the implementation of inclusive care as a continuous process requiring flexibility and adaptation from organizations. She compiled the success factors and challenges of this process into a publication that drew lessons from existing literature and five case studies: three in Belgium, one in the Netherlands, and one in Germany.
One of these case studies involved a residential care center run by Frankfurter Verband, whose experiences were shared by Frédéric Lauscher during the panel discussion. Frédéric stressed that investing in cultural sensitivity is not optional but a necessity for modern care centers. He highlighted the importance of building connections with community leaders and maintaining ties to the environments where residents once lived. Incorporating traditional practices into daily routines can help residents feel more at home. Lauscher argued that the ultimate goal should be enhancing the overall quality of life—not just providing care. He urged care organizations to adopt participatory approaches and actively address discrimination to achieve this vision.
A more detailed summary of the study day (in Dutch) can be found here.
The publication (in Dutch) can be ordered or downloaded here.
