Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar

What Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar does

Vzw Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar is a Belgian non-profit elderly care organization headquartered in Berlaar, operating 10 woonzorgcentra (residential care centers) across the provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, and Flemish Brabant alongside assisted living apartments, short-stay/respite care, day care centers, home nursing services, local service centers, and a mobile personal alarm system (MAS). The organization traces its origins to the 1830s through the congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary; the vzw was formally incorporated in 1977 and rebranded to its current name in 2018 to reflect its broader service portfolio beyond traditional rest homes. It employs more than 1,100 people and serves elderly residents, seniors with dementia, home-nursing patients, and community-dwelling seniors across the Flemish region.

The business model is built on recurring per-resident day prices (dagprijs) for residential and assisted living stays, supplemented by Flemish government healthcare subsidies per resident, with additional recurring revenue from home nursing, day care, and local community center activities. Distribution is direct-to-resident through owned facilities and home visits; go-to-market is community-led under the 'wonen en zorg in dialoog' (living and care in dialogue) philosophy, formalized as the buurtzorghuis (caring neighborhood) model. Technology infrastructure consists of digital nursing records, BelRAI/InterRAI standardized assessment instruments, internal audit and e-learning quality systems, and the MAS personal alarm product; no AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Recent strategic activity has emphasized expansion and sector advocacy: two residential care centers (Sint-Augustinus in Berlaar and De Bekelaar in Lommel) were integrated in April 2024, a Knowledge Development Center for Psychological Vulnerability was launched in October 2024 with HIVSET, the University of Antwerp, and the Vlaams Innovatiecentrum, and the organization coordinated a 26,000+ signature petition protesting Flemish government subsidy cuts of approximately €45 per resident per month. The organization maintains GDPR/AVG and EU Whistleblower Directive compliance, holds Green Deal 3.0 sustainable-care commitments, and operates workforce training pipelines (zorgplekleren) with LBC Volwassenenonderwijs and HIK.

Name

Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar

Legal name

vzw Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar

Website

https://zorggroepzvb.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Belgian non-profit operating 10 residential care centers plus home nursing, day care, assisted living, and local community centers for elderly residents across Antwerp, Limburg, and Flemish Brabant provinces, employing 1,100+ staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Elderly Care Services

NAICS

Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) (62311), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312), Home Health Care Services (62161)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Assisted Living with Enhanced Care / High-Acuity (Aging-in-Place) (HLADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Care Navigation & Service Coordination (Medical, Social, Community) (HSABAIAB), 24/7 Rotating Shift In-Home Care (Multiple Caregivers) (HSABAHAA), Dementia Personal Care (ADLs) Support (HSABAEAB)

Keywords

• Residential elderly care
• Assisted living services
• Home nursing care
• Day care services
• Short stay care

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlaar

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Residential Care Fees (Dagprijs): Monthly day prices charged to residents for accommodation and care in woonzorgcentra (residential care centers). Government subsidies supplement resident fees.
2. Government Healthcare Subsidies: Government funding received per resident, including subsidies for residents with higher care needs. As of 2025, approximately €45 per resident per month in subsidies was reduced due to government cost savings measures.
3. Assisted Living Rentals: Rental income from assisted living apartments (assistentiewoningen) across multiple locations
4. Day Care Services: Day care center services (centra voor dagverzorging) providing daytime care for elderly
5. Short Stay (Kortverblijf): Temporary residential care for recovery periods, post-hospitalization, or caregiver relief
6. Home Nursing Services: 24/7 home nursing care services provided at residents' homes
7. Local Service Centers: Community restaurants and neighborhood center activities including meals and events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar operates an integrated elderly care network offering long-term residential care (woonzorgcentra), assisted living apartments (assistentiewoningen), short-stay/respite care (kortverblijf), 24/7 home nursing (thuisverpleging), day care (dagverzorging), and local service centers (lokale dienstencentra). Services are delivered through 10 residential care centers across three Belgian provinces using a 'wonen en zorg in dialoog' philosophy, supplemented by a mobile personal alarm system (MAS) for safety monitoring.

Product overview

Vzw Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar operates an integrated elderly care network offering residential care (woonzorgcentra), assisted living (assistentiewoningen), short stay/respite care (kortverblijf), home nursing (thuisverpleging), day care (dagverzorging), and local service centers (lokale dienstencentra). The organization manages 10 residential care centers across the provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, and Flemish-Brabant. Services are delivered through a unified 'wonen en zorg in dialoog' (living and care in dialogue) philosophy, with additional offerings including mobile personal alarm systems (MAS) and workplace learning training programs for care assistants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Woonzorgcentra (Residential Care Centers) Long-term residential care facilities for elderly people who can no longer live independently. The organization operates 10 residential care centers across provinces Antwerp, Limburg, and Flemish-Brabant, offering personalized care in a homely atmosphere with multidisciplinary teams. Target users are seniors aged 65+, including those with dementia and complex care needs.
• Assistentiewoningen (Assisted Living Apartments) Independent living apartments within or near residential care centers, offering privacy and autonomy with support services readily available. Residents enjoy comfort and safety with access to all advantages of nearby care facilities. Available across 8 locations.
• (Oriënterend) Kortverblijf (Short Stay / Respite Care) Temporary accommodation with additional support services for elderly individuals, used for recovery after hospitalization, rehabilitation periods, or to temporarily relieve informal caregivers. Also available as an orientation stay for seniors considering long-term residential care.
• Thuisverpleging (Home Nursing) 24/7 nursing care services delivered in patients' own homes, including wound care, medication management, diabetic follow-up, injections, and parameter monitoring, provided by a consistent team of familiar nurses across the Antwerp region.
• Centra voor Dagverzorging (Day Care Centers) Daytime care facilities open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:30, offering social activities, meals, and continuity of services like hairdresser or physiotherapy appointments for elderly individuals needing daytime care and for respite of family caregivers.
• Lokale Dienstencentra (Local Service Centers) Community centers offering neighborhood restaurants with three-course meals, information sessions, exercise activities, hobby clubs, language courses, and digital help points for questions about smartphones, tablets, and computers. Targets community-dwelling seniors seeking social connection.
• Mobiel Personenalarmsysteem (MAS) Mobile Personal Alarm System Mobile safety alert system allowing users to set medication reminders, determine location, and use an SOS button in case of emergency. Integrated with home nursing services for enhanced safety of elderly clients living at home.
• Opleiding Zorgkundige via Werkplekleren (Workplace Learning Care Assistant Training) Training program allowing candidates to become certified care assistants (zorgkundige) while working in the organization's care facilities. Delivered in partnership with LBC Volwassenenonderwijs and HIK, combining theoretical classes with practical workplace experience at Berlaar, Nijlen, Kessel, and Wiekevorst locations.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HIKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2026Educational partner for zorgplekleren (workplace learning) program for zorgkundige training in Wiekevorst location. Accelerated 1.5-year training program starting September 2026.
• LBC VolwassenenonderwijscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 October 2025Educational partnership for zorgkundige (care assistant) training programs through workplace learning (zorgplekleren). Provides training in Berlaar, Nijlen, and Kessel locations with theoretical classes combined with practical workplace experience.
• Zorgnet-IcurocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2024Sector organization partnership for elderly care advocacy. Joint campaign 'Wat is't plan?' collected 26,000+ signatures. Organization coordinated sector-wide petition delivery to Minister Gennez.
• HIVSETcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partner in Knowledge Development Center for Psychological Vulnerability. HIVSET (Vlaams Innovatiecentrum) contributes to scientific research application in elderly care practice.
• University of Antwerp (UA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Academic partner in Knowledge Development Center for Psychological Vulnerability. Contributes scientific research and develops educational programs for elderly mental health care.
• Vlaams InnovatiecentrumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partners with HIVSET and UA in Knowledge Development Center for Psychological Vulnerability to apply scientific research in elderly care practice.
• ECoOB (Energiecoöperatie)minorOthers · 1 January 2019Energy cooperative partnership for solar panel installation at wzc Sint-Margaretha (Holsbeek) with over 300 solar panels, allowing neighborhood participation in green energy.
• Campina EnergieminorOthers · 1 January 2019Burgercoöperatie (citizen cooperative) for solar panel installations at wzc Heilige Familie (291 panels) and Sint-Jozef Wiekevorst (360 panels). Annual production of 276,500 kWh electricity.
• EcopowerminorOthers · 1 January 2019Energy cooperative partnership for solar panel projects at wzc Kloosterhof and Zonnewende Kapellen.
• CyclobilityminorOthers · 1 January 2019Bike leasing partner providing employees with electric bikes and speedpedelecs at €30/month discount. Includes cycling infrastructure upgrades and charging stations.
• Vlaamse Overheid - Green Deal 3.0 Duurzame ZorgminorOthers · 1 January 2019Signatory to Green Deal 3.0 commitments including healthy natural environment, sustainable infrastructure, waste reduction, and food loss prevention.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Clariane (formerly Korian): Clariane (formerly Korian) is a publicly listed pan-European residential and home care operator with Belgian presence. Provides a broader-portfolio incumbent comparable in elderly care delivery.
• DomusVi: DomusVi is a large European residential care operator with facilities in France, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Comparable as a broader incumbent in elderly residential care delivery.
• Colisée: Colisée is a French-headquartered residential care group that acquired Armonea in Belgium, giving it overlapping woonzorgcentra operations in Flanders. Useful comparable for the for-profit, multi-country model.
• Orpea: Orpea is one of Europe's largest nursing home and post-acute care operators with Belgian facilities. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the residential elderly care space.

Direct peers

• Armonea: Armonea (now part of French group Colisée) is one of Belgium's largest residential and assisted-living care chains. Its multi-site Belgian operating model and service breadth make it a direct comparable to ZVB's 10-center network.
• Vulpia: Vulpia is a Belgian residential care operator running assisted living and woonzorgcentra across Flanders and Wallonia. It is the closest direct peer in scale, geography, and service mix to Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar.
• Senior Living Group: Senior Living Group operates residential care centers and assisted living apartments across Belgium with a comparable 'resident-centered' service philosophy. Similar mid-sized Flemish footprint to ZVB.

Others

• Zorgnet-Icuro: Zorgnet-Icuro is the Flemish umbrella sector organization for care providers, including ZVB. Not a competitor but an ecosystem participant whose policy work directly affects ZVB's regulatory and funding environment.
• OCMW / CAW (Public Centers for Social Welfare): Belgian public OCMW/CAW centers operate a parallel network of elderly and social care services including residential, home care, and community support. Indirect peer via shared mandate and funding structure rather than direct competition.

Regional players

• Zorgbedrijf Antwerpen: Zorgbedrijf Antwerpen is a public Antwerp-based care operator managing woonzorgcentra and assisted living within the Antwerp region. Overlaps significantly with ZVB's Antwerp footprint and similar municipal-style service mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ZorggroepZustersvanBerlaar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vzw-zorggroep-zusters-van-berlaar

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zorggroep Zusters van Berlaar