Geel and Meerhout establish welfare association for elderly care

The municipalities of Geel and Meerhout have decided to establish a welfare association to manage three residential care centers: WZC Wedbos, WZC De Berk, and WZC Ter Kempen. This initiative aims to ensure high-quality, accessible, and affordable elderly care by fostering closer cooperation between the facilities.

Local authorities emphasized that this move does not constitute privatization; both Geel and Meerhout will remain involved in the policy and organization of the centers through the new association. The collaboration is intended to address rising care demands, increasing costs, and complex regulations by allowing the centers to share expertise, pool investments, and develop specialized support services.