Paszorg

Paszorg is a Dutch-language term used to describe a category of in-home care services designed to help people who need assistance to live independently at home. The term is used in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium (Flanders) within the broader health and social care system. In practice, paszorg comprises professional, in-home support delivered under local authority contracts or by care organizations. Services commonly include assistance with daily living activities (such as dressing, bathing, and meal preparation), household tasks, medication management, monitoring health status, coordinating care with other professionals, transport to appointments, and respite care for informal caregivers.

Delivery and funding: Paszorg is typically organized through municipalities as part of long-term care policy. Care needs are assessed through a formal evaluation to determine the level of support required. Funding is usually a mix of social care subsidies, health insurance contributions, and user co-payments, depending on national and regional rules. Providers range from home-care agencies to individual caregivers and integrated care teams.

Outcomes and challenges: The primary aim is to enable people to remain at home safely and with dignity, potentially reducing hospital admissions and delaying or avoiding entry into residential care. Challenges include workforce shortages, regional variability in availability and quality, and administrative requirements for assessments and approvals.

See also: home care, district nursing, long-term care, caregiver support, care planning.