On 1 March 2024, Luxembourg’s new quality law for services aimed at the elderly came into effect. As the name suggests, the law seeks to improve the quality of existing services and structures for elderly people by introducing regular quality controls to ensure that the new regulations are being implemented effectively.
One year after the introduction of the new quality law, COPAS, the umbrella organisation for care providers in Luxembourg, raises concerns about the burden on care providers.
These inspections are carried out by a so-called ‘quality unit’ of the Ministry of Family Affairs. According to Minister Max Hahn, the process involves reviewing documentation, verifying compliance with procedures, and speaking with both staff and care residents.
Under the new law, all services subject to these quality controls must be inspected at least once every three years. The first on-site inspections began at the end of 2024, with ten residential care structures assessed so far.
While the implementation of these quality controls has been welcomed, COPAS has raised concerns about the potential strain these new requirements may place on service providers. COPAS President Pierre Jaeger acknowledged the importance of these quality controls but warned that they could result in a significant increase in workload for care providers.
Although both COPAS and the Ministry of Family Affairs agree that it is still too early to draw definitive conclusions, a comprehensive evaluation is planned after three years. However, Jaeger stressed that areas needing improvement should be identified sooner and adjustments made if necessary.
Despite concerns raised by COPAS, Minister Max Hahn (DP) believes that significant progress has already been made during the first year of implementation. According to Hahn, new support structures have been introduced to better assist elderly residents and their families. One such initiative is Info-Senior, an online platform that provides a comprehensive register of residential facilities and activities for older people across Luxembourg. Another notable development is Simpa, a newly established service offering information and mediation specifically designed to address the needs of senior citizens.
