The number of private care villas for the elderly rose 16% this year to 169, sector organisation Nevep said on Wednesday.

Care villas are privately run, small-scale homes which fall outside the official care homes and nursing homes sector.

The residents pay living costs of at least €2,500 a month, on top of the care costs paid by the government.

Nevep says although care villas account for just 2% of the care home market, the rapid growth of this type of home is causing it concern about the quality of what is on offer. The organisation wants to introduce a quality mark for care villas, Nos television says.

However, inspections are already being carried out and last month a care villa in Lunteren was closed down.

The organisation for older people ANBO says well-off pensioners have been paying a higher contribution towards their care since 2012 and are now looking for a nice location and service that takes account of their wishes in return for their money.

There is also a trend for older people to set up their own communities, the ANBO says.