Self-reliant Mierlo-Hout

A new village centre is being developed in Mierlo-Hout on the site of the current Alphonsus residential care centre: Dorpsplein Mierlo-Hout. Around 220 apartments will be built here, where people with and without care needs will live alongside and with one another. One in three homes is intended for people without an immediate need for care. Savant Zorg and Compaen therefore see the project not only as a construction challenge, but also as an investment in a different way of living together.

A strong community is the foundation for good elderly care and a pleasant living environment. At the same time, such a community does not emerge by itself. Residents do not know one another yet, construction is still underway, and expectations around the roles of residents, neighbours and care professionals are not yet self-evident.

How can we create a community in which residents, the neighbourhood and care services naturally strengthen one another?

Community self-reliance requires a shift in both behaviour and mindset. The research therefore focuses on what responsibilities residents and the wider neighbourhood can take on themselves, and what role care professionals can play without care organisations automatically taking over everything.