Residence in a Flemish care home currently costs an average of €197 more each month than in May 2022 – an increase of 10.4%, according to a calculation by the senior citizens' movement OKRA, based on data from the Agency for Care and Health.
In May last year, the average monthly price for a single room was €1,958.90; on 1 January 2023, it was €2,096.74.
Since March 2022, residential care centres have been allowed to index prices every six months. OKRA requested those price reports and found that the average monthly price for a single room in non-commercial residential care centres was €2,024 in January.
In commercial residential care centres, it was €222 more (€2,246). The median monthly cost was €2,045, the senior citizens' movement calculated.
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OKRA pointed out that pensions have risen only 8.39% between January and December 2022, leaving pensioners at risk of being able to afford the rise. "The data shows that daily prices of residential care centres are again rising faster than inflation."
Moreover, residents pay additional charges on top of the daily rate, such as for internet and TV or charges for washing and ironing. But about those supplements "there is a complete lack of transparency, of systematic data collection, let alone a pricing policy".
"There is a need for more complete and transparent data on the costs that residential care centres pass on to their residents." OKRA reiterated its dissatisfaction with the federal heating and energy subsidies, which seniors in residential care centres do not receive. The senior citizens' movement initiated proceedings in the Constitutional Court regarding this in September.
It called the increase in the care budget from €130 to €135 "totally inadequate" and said that it should be at least €160.
