With ageing populations posing shared challenges, Task Force Health Care (TFHC), together with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in China, welcomed a high-level delegation from Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai to the Netherlands. The visit aimed to showcase Dutch expertise in elderly care and explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral collaboration.
Through site visits and knowledge exchange, the delegation engaged with organisations including Vilans, Stichting Humanitas Rotterdam, Stichting tanteLouise, Laurens, UMCG, Botmas, and Interzorg Noord Nederland, highlighting innovative care models, technologies, and operational approaches.
Main Activities
Dementia Care
Dementia care was a central theme throughout the visit. At Stichting tanteLouise and Vilans, the delegation explored how the Dutch approach combines early detection, workforce training, non-pharmacological interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These visits highlighted the importance of a systematic, scalable model for dementia care and sparked discussions on how similar approaches could be adapted to the Chinese care context.
Digitalisation in the Care Environment
The delegation examined Dutch digital solutions that support daily structure, efficiency, and quality of care for elderly populations. Technologies showcased included monitoring, assistive, and AI-driven tools designed to support caregivers and improve patient outcomes.
Collaborative Innovation
A key theme throughout the visit was the high level of collaboration within the Dutch elderly care and healthcare ecosystem. The delegation learned how care organisations, knowledge institutes, technology providers, financiers, and policymakers work closely together to develop, pilot, and scale new solutions.
Visits to Stichting tanteLouise’s Zorglab and Vilans demonstrated how innovation is embedded in daily practice, with structured processes for testing new technologies, sharing knowledge, and translating lessons learned into broader implementation. This integrated approach enables faster decision-making, reduces fragmentation, and supports sustainable adoption of innovations.
Chinese delegates expressed strong interest in this model of collaboration, particularly in how joint pilots and shared ownership can accelerate innovation and improve care quality. The Dutch “harmonised” approach was seen as a valuable reference for strengthening cooperation and innovation pathways within China’s elderly care system.
Key Takeaways
1. Systematic and interdisciplinary approaches are essential for sustainable dementia care
2. Digital solutions can help address workforce shortages and care-access gaps
3. Strong collaboration accelerates innovation and implementation
4. There is clear potential for bilateral cooperation in elderly care innovation
What’s Next
TFHC will continue to support follow-up dialogue between Dutch and Chinese stakeholders, focusing on knowledge exchange, matchmaking, and potential pilot initiatives in elderly care.
Stay connected
For more information about this mission or opportunities for collaboration, feel free to reach out:
Phone: +31 6 12 76 09 68
E-mail: info@tfhc.nl
