[The institutional population: background and expected development]

"In this article aspects of the development of the institutional population in the Netherlands are described. During the eighties there has been a moderate decrease in numbers due to a change in attitudes and policies. Because of ideological and financial reasons, governments are inclined to institutionalise fewer old (and disabled) people and to provide more care by other means such as home-support. However, simulations lead to the conclusion, that particularly as a consequence of the ageing of the population, the demand of care is growing quite fast.... Taking all factors into account, one may expect that the number of institutionalised people will not change much in the near future." (SUMMARY IN ENG)