WijkKompas for Older Adults: appropriate care and support through interprofessional collaboration

The number of community-dwelling vulnerable elderly is increasing, often with complex physical, psychological and social needs. Due to limited structural collaboration between health and social care professionals, support is frequently fragmented and not well-aligned to their needs. A neighbourhood centre offers a promising approach, by offering a low-threshold setting for early detection and coordinated, person-centered support focusing on independence. 

Aim

With WijkKompas, we evaluate existing interprofessional collaboration in Utrecht (Vleuten-De Meern) and examine how it can be further developed and embedded within a neighbourhood centre, and whether this approach is effective.

Approach

Using focus groups, interviews and questionnaires, we examine what works, for whom and under which conditions. The results will improve collaboration in the neighbourhood centre and support potential scaling up to other neighbourhoods, helping elderly people to live independently and in good health for longer.

Community lifestyle network Utrecht

This project is a continuation based on results from the ZonMw project ‘Implementation Community Lifestyle Network Leidsche Rijn Gezond’ (Implementatie Wijkleefstijlnetwerk Leidsche Rijn Gezond’). That project focuses on strengthening the collaboration between healthcare and social domains regarding prevention. View the project page ‘Implementation Community Lifestyle Network Leidsche Rijn Gezond’ for more information. Please note: it’s in Dutch only.