ABSTRACT
Home care in the Netherlands is defined by the National Council for Public Health (NRV 1989) as nursing care, family care, treatment and support provided in the homes of clients by professionals and aided by self-care, informal care, and volunteers and specially geared to enabling clients to remain at home as long as possible. Home nursing organizations offer a package of services, comprising nursing, support, and counselling related to illness, recuperation, disability, old age and death. (This includes help, advice and other care during and after pregnancy and in the area of child health during the first year of a child’s life, including regular check-ups. Nursing equipment is also available on loan for a maximum of six months.)
Home help supplies basic help to households when illness, handicap or old age makes it difficult for individuals to cope alone and when informal support by family, friends and neighbours have proved inadequate. Household assistance is the core product of home help. This encompasses activities in the area of domestic work, nursing care and counselling and is designed to safeguard the independent functioning of a household. Home care is largely provided by not-forprofit agencies. As described by the Steering Committee for Healthcare Scenarios for Public Health (STG 1993) these services can be grouped into the following categories:
• Care and support in activities of daily living (ADL): help with feeding, washing, toileting; transfers from bed and chair; dressing; mobility in the house; care for feet and nails and encouragement of self-care in ADL activities.
