familiehanden

Familiehanden (literally “family hands”) is a concept used in Dutch social care to describe organized involvement of family members in the practical care of a person receiving support, either at home or in a care setting. The term highlights the hands-on, day-to-day assistance provided by relatives and is often framed as a collaboration between informal caregivers and professional care teams. In formal usage, familiehanden programs are designed to supplement professional care while maintaining safety, privacy, and quality of care.

Typically, familiehanden programs are offered or coordinated by healthcare organizations, municipalities, or caregiver support platforms. They involve clear agreements, training, and supervision to ensure that family contributions are appropriate and safe. Common activities include assistance with daily living tasks, companionship, meal preparation, help with mobility, transportation, and facilitating communication with healthcare professionals. The overarching aim is to preserve familiar routines, reduce caregiver burnout, and improve the wellbeing and sense of dignity of the person receiving care, while clearly delineating the boundaries between professional tasks and family involvement.

Participation generally requires informed consent from the client, and when relevant from family members, along with adherence to guidelines on safety, privacy, and professional standards. Potential challenges include time demands on relatives, potential role ambiguity or conflicts, and the need for ongoing training and coordination with paid staff. Related concepts include informal caregiving and family participation in care, and familiehanden is part of broader efforts toward more person-centered, family-inclusive care in the Dutch care system.