Respite care for informal caregivers in Zoetermeer

Respite care can provide relief when caring becomes too much for a while. Your loved one then stays somewhere else temporarily. That gives you space to catch your breath and get things arranged.

What is respite care or short-term stay?

Short-term stay gives you some breathing room. Your loved one then stays somewhere else temporarily. This can be in an institution, a care hotel, or a respite home. Respite care also falls under this. Someone then stays one or more nights, so that you are relieved.

Respite care is the umbrella term. It means someone temporarily takes over the care from you. In Zoetermeer, short-term stay is one form of this. It is suitable if your loved one cannot be alone at home and needs care or supervision.

When does short-term stay via the Wmo apply?

Through the municipality of Zoetermeer, this is intended for people who are cared for at home by an informal caregiver. Your loved one cannot be alone at home. Supervision or care is needed 24 hours a day. In that case, your loved one may stay in an institution via the Wmo for up to 72 hours per week.

For short-term stay via the Wmo, you pay a personal contribution. The amount is listed with the CAK.

It helps to first check whether health insurance reimburses anything. If not, you can make a Wmo notification. Sometimes an existing Wlz indication is also another route. When applying, you discuss how many nights or half-days are needed, and what care must continue.

What is the difference with respite care via the Wlz?

If your loved one has an indication under the Long-Term Care Act (Wlz), respite care goes through that scheme. Your loved one then stays temporarily in a protected living environment. The care provider also provides the care needed there.

Via the Wlz, your loved one can stay for up to 156 days per calendar year. This applies to care in kind and to a personal budget. So this is different from short-term stay via the municipality. Different rules apply there.

What other forms of respite care are there in Zoetermeer?

Respite care can be more than staying overnight. In Zoetermeer there are lighter forms, such as activities in community centers and walk-in locations of inZet. There are also volunteers who are briefly present at home. In addition, there is day care, where your loved one goes for one or more half-days or days.

There are also other forms. Think of doing something together, such as an activity or outing. For people with dementia and their informal caregiver, there is the Unforgettable Cooking Club. For youth, the municipality refers to Meerpunt. Mantelzorg Zoetermeer can also organize respite days.

How do you apply and who can help?

Which route you choose depends on the form. For short-term stay via the Wmo, start with the health insurer. If it does not reimburse it, you can report to the Zorgpension. After that, if needed, follows a Wmo notification with the municipality. This can be done online, by phone, or by appointment at the Wmo counter.

For respite care with a Wlz indication, it goes through the care office. If you do not know what fits, the informal care coordinators of inZet and the independent client support workers can think along for free. Mantelzorg Zoetermeer and the local access desk can also help think through the best option.

What can you arrange in advance?

Make sure you know in advance who the contact person is. Agree on what you are handing over. Also note which care will continue during the stay. When applying, you may submit a personal plan, but that is not required.

For respite care for a child or young person, discuss in advance what support is needed. Also what medical procedures are involved, and how the handover is arranged. Independent client support can help with an application. With more clarity in advance, the transition is often calmer.