Barbara de Groen is an expert in Strategy and Collaboration at Vilans. She is committed to delivering integrated care for older people close to home, with a focus on the individual’s quality of life. Older people do not think in terms of different areas of care; they want the care and support that suits their needs. Often, that means continuing to live at home. The care and support they receive should ideally feel as seamless as possible, regardless of how services are organised behind the scenes. 

Within the programme 'Waardigheid en trots voor de toekomst' (‘Dignity and pride for the future’) Barbara is the lead for the theme ‘Long-term Care at Home’. Where she and her team are responsible for courses about this subject and numerous knowledge resources covering all aspects of home nursing care.

Barbara also possesses specific knowledge of how the social sector operates. Understanding the language of both the care and social sectors helps to forge connections more easily. Increasingly, those connections involve housing. She pays particular attention to housing options for older people, preferably in mixed-occupancy settings where people with and without care needs live together and can support one another. In addition, she is the leader of the programme 'Handreiking kwetsbare ouderen thuis’ (‘Guidance on vulnerable older people at home’), which promotes person-centred and integrated care and support.

Barbara is a knowledgeable, passionate consultant who is committed to organising care and support in ways that prioritise the quality of life for older people and ensure that policy is aligned with everyday practice.