Netherlands: Caregivers face burnout and work conflicts

In the Netherlands, approximately 5.5 million people provide informal care, with 2.5 million attempting to balance these responsibilities with professional employment. Recent findings from the Dementiemonitor, conducted by Alzheimer Nederland and Nivel, highlight the severity of the situation: three in ten caregivers for individuals with dementia can only sustain their role for a maximum of one year.

Research indicates that over half of these caregivers experience physical and mental health issues, alongside loneliness and relationship strain. Nearly 70 percent report difficulty combining care with work and family life. Consequently, one in five working caregivers has reduced their working hours, and 15 percent have stopped working entirely due to care demands.

Advocates and the Social and Economic Council (SER) are calling for increased government and employer support. While the SER recommended eight weeks of paid care leave, the Dutch government has not adopted this full measure, currently providing only two weeks of short-term paid leave and six weeks of unpaid leave. Experts suggest that employers should implement more flexible scheduling, provide practical information, and utilize care brokers to prevent burnout and workforce attrition.