Description

CONTEXT

The challenge is geographically located in the southwest part of the province of Friesland. The southwest part of Friesland can be described as a rural area, with in general small settlements with a handful of central cities of 15.000-25.000 inhabitants. There are several examples of small settlements were the problems of the scarcity of the community arise. 
The target group is the elderly in the small settlements in the southwest part of Friesland, as a part of the total community of the small settlements. The target group is chosen because this is target group of our organization. Our organization consists of 2800 co-workers and 3000 cliënts. 25% of the cliënts are living in their original home and receive care at home. The rest of our cliënts are living in our retirement homes(32). 

CHALLENGE

“Mrs. De Vries(86) is living in a small village in the southwest part of Friesland. Since her husband died she is coping on her own. Her children are not living near her, her neighbors are kind people with small children and both working. She is facing loneliness, and she is basically healthy but has problems in relation to ageing, diabetics and rheumatism.”

Just an example which occurs on a regular bases in the working region of Patyna, organization for care for the elderly. In some of the small settlements of our region we have retirement homes(in total 32), clients can receive (special) care at their original home.

We have several examples of small settlements(for example: Wommels, Koudum, IJlst, Scharnegoutum) were the problems of the scarcity of the community arise. The places in the retirement homes for the elderly are decreasing due to Dutch general policy and we have an increase of an aging generation.

How can we as organization take care of our clients seven days a week, for 24 hours a day knowing that the Dutch financial care-structure is not compatible with our organization as based in a geographic rural area.

How can we find solutions for the well-being of the elderly in small settlements in relation to problems as loneliness, lack of a support system, decreasing facilitation in small settlements. What kind of solutions for our organization are possible for working with communities?

What choices can we make in the development of our estate-projects in relation to the mentioned problems? 

Patyna is looking for new solutions because we are facing numerous social challenges:  scarcity of the community, an aging society, a complicated financial structure for our organization, choices to be made for the development of our estate. 

• We are looking for solutions on social level, working with communities in small settlement to maintain or develop a high standard of supportsystem for the elderly in these settlements.
• We are looking for ingenious solutions to develop a sound and safe financial system for our organization in relation with our services in the small settlements. 
• We are looking for answers which choices to make for our development of our estate.

THE CHALLENGE OWNER

There is a strong link between the organizational vision and strategy and the challenge. Patyna has defined in the strategic estate vision to work with the community of the small settlements to establish a sound base for the well-being of the elderly of these communities. This achievement is already carefully visible in the community of Koudum, were the outline of our ideas and vision are in the beginstadium. 
The team members(4) are at the moment working with the communities, the champions can be seen as members of our organization ‘taskforce’ to work with the communities of the settlements and face problems who are linked to the challenge.

COMMITMENT

Patyna can contribute on different levels; with information, data and expertise. On the issue, on our region and on our expertise of the aging population. Consultancy and coaching, on a pro bono base is therefore as well possible. Because of organizational choice ànd position in the region we can connect the solution providers to potential partners. Endorsement and promotion is of course an option through our social media channels, website and our intranet, as well connection with the media in our area.