The Dutch population is ageing, resulting in increasing governmental expenses for care. In order to keep the national care expenses affordable, the Dutch government decided to separate the financing of housing and care for elderly with a ZZP VV (‘zorgzwaartepakket verpleging en verzorging’, which can be translated to an indication for care and support) 1 to 3 and 25 per cent of ZZP VV 4, stimulating the elderly with a relatively low need for care to live outside a care home. This is called “extramuralisation”. The need for care for the elderly with a ZZP VV 1 to 4 varies from some support to intensive support and extensive care. The change in the care policy led to increased costs for elderly for living in a care home for the elderly with a limited need for care. As a result of this, together with the reduced availability of rooms in a care home, many elderly decide to stay in their current home longer.
As a result of the extramuralisation, the province of Noord-Brabant expects a large increase in the demand for extramural-sheltered-living-complexes in the coming decennia, especially in rural areas of the province. The expected demand in 2040 is about 2.5 to 3 times the current supply and nowadays there already is a shortage in qualitative and quantitative sense. This research has answered the question which existing extramural-sheltered-living-concepts are the most suitable for elderly with ZZP VV 3 and 4 in these rural areas, taking into account the user needs and preferences of the elderly and care providers.