Acute help in a care situation at home

A care situation requires immediate attention when safety at home is at risk. Think of a moment when someone can no longer manage on their own or when help is needed quickly. In a situation where acute home care is needed, time matters, and it is important to act right away.

When do you call 112?

Call 112 in the event of immediate danger to your loved one, yourself, or someone else. This also applies in a life-threatening situation. In a mental health crisis, 112 is also appropriate when rapid help is needed.

Immediate danger also includes unsafe behavior that must stop right away. Think of shouting, threats, holding someone down forcefully, locking someone in, or withholding care. Even if someone is already making an attempt, 112 is appropriate.

When do you involve the general practitioner, GP out-of-hours service, or crisis service?

Without immediate life-threatening danger, you can contact the general practitioner or GP out-of-hours service. They can involve the crisis service if necessary. This applies to psychological or psychosocial problems that are serious but not acute.

With statements like “I can’t take this anymore” or “you won’t have any trouble from me anymore,” you may ask further questions. Seek professional help together, such as the general practitioner. The 113 helpline can also think along with you.

When is Veilig Thuis appropriate?

Veilig Thuis is appropriate when care becomes unsafe. This can be the case with verbal abuse, threats, neglect, keeping visitors away, withholding mail, or financial abuse.

You may also contact them if the situation shows exhaustion or helplessness. You do not first have to know exactly what is happening. Veilig Thuis can think along anonymously. In cases of immediate danger, 112 remains the right step.

When do you use Meldpunt Bezorgd Zoetermeer?

Meldpunt Bezorgd Zoetermeer is appropriate for serious but non-acute concerns about a resident of Zoetermeer. This may involve psychological problems, addiction, squalor, or neglect. The reporting point also checks whether help is already involved.

It is not an acute crisis service. In case of immediate danger, call 112. Also report if someone is not seeking help themselves and is no longer managing well, is increasingly isolated, or is living in a neglected home.

What do you arrange if you, as a caregiver, become unable to continue?

If you unexpectedly become ill, are admitted to hospital, or are temporarily unable to provide care, replacement care may be needed quickly. This is called emergency care or acute respite care. Which route is appropriate depends on the care your loved one is already receiving.

With a Wlz indication, the care office or care provider can look at extra care at home or a temporary admission. Without a Wlz indication, the municipality is responsible if your loved one cannot remain safely at home without your help. If district nursing is already involved, the district nurse can look at whether extra support is possible.

What do you do if the situation is not yet acute?

If there is no immediate danger yet, seek help before it escalates further. Discuss it with your general practitioner, district nurse, caregiver support worker, or Veilig Thuis. For serious concerns about a resident of Zoetermeer, Meldpunt Bezorgd Zoetermeer can also think along with you.

Try not to solve the situation on your own. Also safeguard your own safety. Ask for support for yourself too if the care becomes too heavy.