Informal Care Monitor Q1 2024

To gain more insight into how this group is preparing for the challenges of their "golden years," Beep for Help conducts quarterly research among more than a thousand Dutch people between the ages of 50 and 65. We ask them about their concerns and expectations regarding various themes, such as their future plans concerning their living situation.

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The golden years are a shared concern for many people over fifty

If no further action is taken, this could lead to a situation where necessary care is no longer accessible to everyone. This is evident from the government report 'Doing nothing is not an option' by the central government. It could lead to higher costs for elderly care and reduced access to care and support. These developments are not only causing concern among government bodies; people over 50 are also worried about the future. The study shows that six out of ten over-50s in the Netherlands are concerned about their later years.

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Uncertainty among people in their sixties has increased recently

According to ActiZ, more than 80 percent of Dutch people have not yet prepared for their old age. This reluctance mainly stems from the thought that some still consider themselves too young to deal with this, or because they believe that much could still change in the meantime. Despite this procrastination, research by Beep for Help shows that no fewer than 29 percent of Dutch over-50s have become more worried about their later years over the past three months. People in their sixties, in particular, have recently become more concerned (33 percent).

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The preference of people over 50 for their familiar home

Last year, the NVM reported that more than two-thirds of their estate agents believe that too little attention is still being paid to the housing preferences of older adults in their region. For instance, new home builds do not pay sufficient attention to lifetime homes for this target group, which further stifles housing turnover and limits availability in the property market. This is also reflected in the living preferences of Dutch over-50s: as many as 59 percent want to remain in their current home. Men in their sixties, in particular, are reluctant to move.

Although a large proportion of Dutch people over fifty would prefer to stay in their current home for as long as possible, there are scenarios in which they are indeed willing to move, which could help improve housing market flow. For instance, as many as six out of ten respondents would move to another home if they were allowed to sell their current owner-occupied home tax-free or transfer it to the younger generation. Among renters, this applies to 45 percent of those surveyed.

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Resistance to care institutions

The state and reputation of care homes are frequently in the news and a topic of public debate. The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate is concerned about healthcare staff shortages and waiting lists in elderly care. In addition, distressing incidents in nursing homes regularly come to light in the media. The challenges healthcare institutions face and their negative public image appear to have a major impact on people's willingness to move into a care home. Indeed, the study reveals that as many as 75 percent of Dutch over-50s do not want to move into a care facility.

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Willingness to move in with family

Besides moving by transferring or selling their current home to the younger generation, moving in with family also appears to be a viable option for many over-50s. The research shows that residents of Friesland and Drenthe are especially open to moving in with family. Living space could be one explanation for this. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the average person in the Netherlands has 53 square metres of living space. However, there are significant regional differences. Per capita living space in the east of the country is much more generous than in the west. In total, 24 percent of Dutch over-50s are open to living with family.

View the results of previous Informal Care Monitors

To gain more insight into how Dutch people over fifty are preparing for the challenges of their "golden years," Beep for Help conducts periodic research among more than a thousand Dutch people between the ages of 50 and 65. We ask them about their concerns and expectations regarding various themes. Here you will find an overview of the published Informal Care Monitors.