Informal care

Q: Who can take care of me temporarily?

As a family carer, you need some time to yourself. Thanks to our respite volunteers, this is possible. They will keep your partner company, go for a walk together or play a game so you can do something else for a while. Feel free to ask about the possibilities. Respite care

As a carer, you often combine caring for another person with work, family or studies. This is valuable, but sometimes quite intensive. We offer personal attention, practical help and opportunities to take a breather. So that you can continue caring without losing yourself. Discover how we think with you, support you and connect you with others who are going through the same thing.

Taking a breather

Support for informal carers

Caring for another person is something you often do with love. But it also demands a lot of your time, energy and attention. Perhaps you notice that your own limits are getting closer, or that you need someone to think with you for a moment. Just to share your story, or to catch your breath.

At Welzijn Lelystad , we understand how it feels to be a carer. We listen, think with you and help you make space for yourself. Sometimes that means a good conversation, sometimes a buddy who takes over for a while. What you need comes first.

Did you know that the municipality of Lelystad appreciates your commitment as a carer? You can read exactly what this means at the bottom of this page. If you are already familiar with this, you can also apply for the informal care appreciation right away via the button below.

Apply for informal care appreciation

Applying for informal care support

Mantelzorgwaardering

The Lelystad municipality greatly appreciates the efforts of informal carers. We deposit the volunteer care appreciation of 103 euro directly into your bank account.

The conditions are:

You provide at least 8 hours of care per week on average and do so for longer than 3 months.
The care tasks you do exceed usual care.
You provide care unpaid and not from a voluntary organisation.
One informal care appreciation can be applied for per informal caregiver.
Only one person per care recipient can apply for the informal care appreciation.
You are 18 years or older.
The care recipient lives in Lelystad.
Has carer appreciation already been applied for with you as a carer? If so, you cannot apply for informal care appreciation yourself.

If you are a carer and meet the following conditions, apply for it! You can apply from 1 April to 31 October at the latest.

Woman in wheelchair talks to man squatting.

Once you have submitted your application

We will send you an acknowledgement of receipt. Check your spam box to be sure. Didn't receive anything? We would like to hear from you in time.
We will let you know no later than the end of November whether your application has been approved.
We will pay the informal care allowance into your bank account at the beginning of December. This happens automatically, so you do not need to call us about this.

Need help completing?

Need help filling in? Call our reception between 08.30 and 17.00 to make an appointment on 0320-707159 or email klantenservice@welzijnlelystad.nl

Applying for informal care appreciation

A laptop with all sorts of coloured envelopes appearing on the screen to indicate that there is an email.

Trainings and courses

Caring for another person can be challenging. That is why we have put together a number of courses and trainings to support you. Our training courses are:

Coping with dementia: Learn useful strategies and techniques to better cope with dementia.
Dealing with dementia for sons and daughters: Learn what it means and means when a parent has dementia.
Fellow carer contact: Meet other carers and share your experiences in a pleasant environment.
NAH (non-congenital brain injury): Understand the impact of non-congenital brain injury and learn how to provide the best care.
Workshops on a variety of topics, such as vitality, bereavement and sleep.

Also keep an eye on our calendar for current offerings.

To the agenda

Learning Square Caring Together

Especially for informal carers

The Learning Square Caring Together is the place for informal carers and volunteers who want to know more about care. Here you will find practical knowledge, explainer videos and tips on, for example, dementia, personal care, compression stockings and the last stage of life. REINHELPT is the first online learning environment: practical, accessible and directly applicable. So you are stronger in your role and know what you can do.

The Learning Square Together Care is a collaboration with Coloriet and Woonzorg Flevoland. Feel free to check out their offerings as well.

Access is free of charge. Do ask for the login code first.

Apply for login code REIN helps

Woman extends hand to other, who takes hand.

Respite care Lelystad

Respite care is the temporary and complete takeover of informal care to give the informal carer some time off. As a informal carer, it is good to take a break or recharge yourself sometimes, which allows the care to be better sustained.

Respite guide

Younger woman holds elderly woman by shoulders with two hands,

I care for someone, where can I go with my questions?

Our family care support team offers family caregivers practical help and (mental) support. Please feel free to contact them.

0320 – 707159

mantelzorgondersteuning@welzijnlelystad.nl/en

Who can take care of me temporarily?

As a carer, you need to have some time to yourself. Thanks to our respite volunteers, this is possible. They will keep your partner company, go for a walk together or play a game so you can do something else for a while. Feel free to ask about the possibilities.

Respite care

Where can I find information on money matters and informal care?

Our caregiver support consultants will be happy to answer your questions. They can be reached at:

0320 – 707159

mantelzorgondersteuning@welzijnlelystad.nl/en

How do I arrange the right care for my neighbour?

Our informal care advisers are well-informed about what options are available to you. You do not need a GP referral. Call or email for more information.

What is the informal care appreciation and how do I apply for it?

Lelystad municipality greatly appreciates the efforts of informal carers. To qualify for informal care appreciation, you must be 18 years or older and the person you care for must live in Lelystad. Please note that one appreciation can be applied for per informal carer, and only one person per carer may do so.

All about volunteer support

Am I entitled to compensation as a carer?

As a carer, you care for a loved one out of love or necessity and do not receive compensation for this. Lelystad municipality appreciates the efforts of informal carers and pays an annual informal care allowance.

Applying for informal care appreciation

Can I get in touch with other informal carers?

If you care for a loved one who is (chronically) ill and feel the need to connect with others in a similar situation, a fellow sufferers' meeting is for you. During these meetings, you can share experiences, find recognition and exchange tips. They are organised once every two months, during the day or in the evening.

When am I officially a carer?

You are a carer if you provide unpaid care for someone close to you, on average at least 8 hours a week and for more than 3 months. The care goes beyond what is usual, and you do not do it through a voluntary organisation.

Where can I find information about diseases such as dementia or NAH?

Our informal care advisers will be happy to answer your questions. Also feel free to take a look at the Learning Square Together Care, where we have an online learning environment together with Coloriet and Woonzorg Flevoland, with information, training and courses.

Is there a way for neighbours to help each other, without obligations?

A care circle is a small group of 8 to a maximum of 13 community members who live close to each other. You know each other and occasionally look after each other, without fixed obligations: everyone does what fits. It's about small, everyday things like having a chat, drinking coffee together, carrying a message or helping out. This makes the neighbourhood feel pleasant and familiar.

Read more about care circles on this page.