In a discussion with the staff of Cabinet Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi in the Berlyamont building in Brussels, representatives of ECHO – the European Confederation of Care Home Organizations – highlighted the importance of private providers in the care of elderly people in Europe.

“The increasing number of people in need of care requires massive investments in care structures. This can only be achieved through cooperation between member states and private stakeholders,” said E.C.H.O. President Averardo Orta from Italy.

According to Johan Poel from Belgium, a member of the E.C.H.O. and CEO of Orelia Group, this requires effective measures to secure staffing needs. “However, we must also consider new skills for nursing staff and a redistribution of tasks in the healthcare system,” said Poel. His German board colleague, Bernd Meurer, emphasized the importance of technical assistance systems, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. “We will have to care for more and more people in need of care with fewer and fewer caregivers. Therefore, massive investments in technical and digital support are necessary now, starting with the training of nursing staff.”

The E.C.H.O. representatives offered the EU Commission the full support of private care home associations in Europe and agreed to continue their contact with political decision-makers in Brussels.