WILLEMSTAD - The Health Inspectorate of Curaçao (Inspectie voor de Volksgezondheid) has, for the first time, established a formal framework of standards for elderly care homes on the island. The document, sent to Parliament (Staten) on September 26, marks version 1.0 and fills a longstanding gap in legislation, which until now lacked concrete quality criteria for eldercare.
End to Sector Inconsistencies
The new directive aims to bring an end to the inconsistencies that have long plagued the sector. While care homes were already subject to licensing under the Landsverordening Zorginstellingen and Landsverordening Bejaarden- en Verzorgingstehuizen, these laws did not specify detailed requirements regarding staffing, medical care, nutrition, or safety.
With this first version, the Inspectorate itself defines the minimum standards and sets out how oversight and enforcement will take place.
Licensing and Enforcement Powers
All facilities must now be officially registered with the Inspectorate and possess a valid operating license. The Inspectorate is granted authority to issue corrective orders, impose fines or penalties, and, in severe cases, shut down non-compliant homes. The Public Prosecutor’s Office may also become involved in cases of serious violations.
Under the new standards, every elderly care home must employ at least one nurse or caregiver per eight residents. There must also be sufficient staff on duty at all times — including nights and weekends — with a designated supervisor responsible for each shift.
Each home must also have a designated physician providing regular medical care to residents, and must ensure access to dental, mental health, and paramedical services.
Mandatory Reporting and Safety Measures
Incidents such as falls must now be reported immediately to the Inspectorate. Homes are required to maintain written protocols for the prevention and reporting of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Families must be involved in the creation and evaluation of each resident’s care plan.
The regulations also extend beyond healthcare. Every facility must have an approved fire safety plan, functional emergency exits, wheelchair-accessible infrastructure, and an up-to-date evacuation procedure. Meals must be provided three times daily, tailored to medical and dietary needs, and prepared in compliance with HACCP food safety standards.
Complaints and Quality Control
Each institution must establish an independent complaints committee. Annual internal audits and external inspections are mandatory, with the results feeding into a continuous improvement cycle monitored by the Inspectorate.
A Milestone for Curaçao’s Elderly Care
With this new framework, Curaçao now has a concrete instrument to measure and enforce quality in elderly care for the first time. The Inspectorate describes the framework as an “integrated system” designed to guarantee the safety, health, and dignity of the elderly, while laying the foundation for greater professionalism and accountability across the sector.
