Minister Visits Izegem Care Center as Staff Shortages and Dementia Cases Increase

Izegem (Eurotoday) – The Minister visited an Izegem care centre and met Cleo (care worker) and Bas Kindt (director). Staff raised concerns about shortages and rising dementia cases (doubled in 5 years). The Center seeks funding for safety improvements.

Today, February 24, 2025, the campaign Expedition Care begins. The minister visited an Izegem care centre to observe the conditions for both workers and residents. During the visit, the minister and Cleo, a care worker, distributed bottles of water to the elderly. Cleo expressed gratitude for the minister’s presence. 

She highlighted the daily challenges in healthcare, including staff shortages and limited resources. Cleo stated that the minister’s visit boosted morale among both workers and residents, as they appreciated the attention from a high-ranking official. 

How will Izegem Care Center address staff shortages and rising dementia cases?

Bas Kindt, the director of the Izegem Care Centre, shared his perspective on the minister’s visit, emphasizing the significance of politicians witnessing firsthand the difficulties healthcare workers face. He pointed out that inadequate staff and resources make the job increasingly difficult. He believes that such visits help policymakers better understand the need for change. 

Such a visit allows politicians to determine for themselves what impact a shortage of staff and resources has on the work floor,

says Bas Kindt.

The care centre’s director expressed concern about the growing number of residents with dementia, a problem that has escalated over the past five years. He noted that the number of dementia patients has doubled, increasing pressure on caregivers and resources. Staff members spoke with the minister about the urgent need for improved care and support. Their goal is to ensure residents live safely and comfortably while maintaining their dignity.

The Izegem Care Centre is working to enhance the safety of its residents. Plans include installing better monitoring systems and modifying the building to better accommodate dementia patients. Additionally, they hope to provide more extensive staff training. However, officials stressed that these improvements require significant financial and logistical support, which is challenging to obtain without government assistance. 

According to the director, additional government funding would enable the care centre to enhance both care and safety. He reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to ensuring residents remain blank”>as safe and healthy as possible despite ongoing challenges. The centre continues to focus on meeting residents' needs and adapting to advances in dementia care.