Coen Ronde: ‘What motivates me as project leader in the SamenOud project is collaboration and coherence’

‘What motivates me as project leader in the SamenOud project is collaboration and coherence’, says C. (Coen) Ronde . ‘I am interested in creating connections between the parties involved in the field of the elderly and their care. In order to do this, we all need to learn to think and act differently – both the elderly and the professionals, for example GPs, district nurses and welfare workers.’

The care needs of the elderly should be central and attention should focus on prevention. ‘Our aim is for senior citizens to be less dependent on care’, says Coen Ronde. This will increase general wellbeing and reduce the costs of care.

Coen Ronde was asked to become project leader in the SamenOud project because of his extensive experience in the field of welfare work, in particular within the ‘elderly’ target group. Making connections and collaborating are central issues in his work. In addition to his position as project leader, he is also chair of the ROOB Beleidsplatform Wonen-Welzijn-Zorg Zuid Groningen (Stadskanaal/Vlagtwedde), which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2012. Here, too, it’s all about building networks, communication and collaboration among various parties working with vulnerable groups (elderly, chronically ill and disabled people).