Dutch farmers conquer their place in healthcare

Day care for the disabled on a farm

For fifteen years, more and more Dutch farmers have had a special part-time job. They offer day care for physically or mentally disabled people. The disabled can find a suitable day job and/or even work properly on a so-called “care farm”. In the last five years in particular, the response has been remarkable: between 1998 and 2004 the number of welfare farms grew from 75 to 432.

Welfare Farm is not new

A welfare farm is not a new invention. In the past, farms were always a place where the help of disabled people was welcome. Due to the fact that special care measures were introduced over time, the "healing" function of a farm was lost sight of a little. Today's welfare farms are resuming this function and appear to be filling a growing demand.

Positive development for health care, the farmer and rural life

The rapid development in recent years stems from an increasing demand for "tailor-made care" and living together as "normally" as possible. This fits into the desired “socialization” of care: people are made part of living together again. On the other hand, agriculture is also looking for new opportunities. The principle of welfare farms closes a gap here and offers new opportunities for the farmer and rural life.

Source: Düsseldorf [dmb]