is a normal 29-year-old. He goes to the cinema, follows the Champions League attentively, parties occasionally and talks about life and love with his friends. Later in the week he will see an action movie with his mate Piebe. Before that, he may go to McDonald’s with Martey, another chum. It might take more time than usual for his friends to get ready for these activities. Piebe is 79 and Martey a sprightly 94.
Mr Duman lives at the Humanitas care home in Deventer, in central Holland. His housemates’ average age is over 85. He has been there for three years, along with five other students from nearby universities and around 150 elderly residents. They are part of a scheme started in 2012 that provides them with free housing in exchange for 30 hours per month of their time living as a “good neighbour”. Only one activity is mandatory: preparing and serving a meal on weekday evenings.
Onno Selbach, the first student to move in, says he learnt to be more patient as a result of the experience; the pace of life is slower at the home. The scheme has helped attract prospective residents. The home now has a waiting list, which it previously did not. And students are queuing up. When two left the home in April, 27 applied to replace them.
Humanitas is not the first institution to urge old and young people to live together. Municipalities across Spain and care homes in Lyon, France, and Cleveland, Ohio, have also experimented with the idea. A team from Finland visited Deventer and was inspired to start a similar scheme. Such initiatives could help combat loneliness, an increasing problem across the rich world. The very old, migrants, the sick or disabled, and singletons are most at risk of feeling lonely. It goes hand in hand with social isolation. About 18% of adultcitizens—some 75m people—see friends or family at most only once a month. Nearly half of Britons over the age of 65 say that television or pets are their main form of company.
I thought the Dutch just kill older people.
Really?
Innovative
Sending Muslims to 'spend time' with old Dutch women? What could go wrong? 😳
So, the Dutch Gov't decided to pay people to do what members of Churches had been doing for years. Another perfectly predictable manifestation of the Left's attacks on Christianity.
I think 🤔 that’s brilliant. Low energy - high energy.
This system may need third manager. Care giving is very difficult to both sides.
Wow
chgroenhuijsen It’s actually not free. The Dutch government pays for all of it. The taxes in the Netherlands are extremely high and have taxes on every thing imaginable.
Shouldn’t the nursing home be tearing through people’s hard earned savings instead of housing students. Those shareholders don’t live on air you know.
chgroenhuijsen Win-win in my eyes
HenkKrol My student neighbours need to work to pay the high rent and thereby cannot spend attention to their elderly neighbours.
Always says that „they“ are the best in Term with Great Ideas!
Value added initiative? Bridging generational gap?
We also have similar project in Porto for 15 years now
I love the Dutch.
That sounds like a really good idea!
Dutch es
mutual benefit
Imagine the day-old kebabs and dirty socks mixing with the urine and over-ripe fruit.
The only thing that Dutch really care is money.. They don't really care health or anything else..
Orphans students refugee students too 🤔
Amazing concept 😊
Interesting
Would there be any diaper changing involved?
Proud to be Dutch
MizaanLibre I believe senior living and hospice should be located adjacent to elementary schools so seniors could read to younger children, have recess and lunch together. Older Children could visit, read to and make art for hospice patients as part of daily life.
Every now and then, a brilliant idea...
Bored for board
FergusForsyth
How to get old and despondent before your time, but on the flip side have a keener understanding of what's coming down the line ;)
Nordic nations are always years ahead of the rest of the world!💕👍
Neila Great thinking by the Dutch 👏👏👏 Bravo!
Good deal, concerned with security and privacy issues
Netherlands gets it!
I love this idea.
That scheme's been in place for more than 5 year in Madrid.
It's an excellent idea.
“Student”
Hope it will work in some populated country with high housing price
I think it’s a great idea!
ClodaghLRice That's a good idea! :)
In the 4th congressional 'earmuff' district of Chicago the youth just robs the Elderly under cries of Racial inequality and gentrification.
This has been working for a long time now! Even in France I have seen this
This is not news. This program has already proven itself.
sounds like the only good Dutch idea
This is making things work in a positive way! We should all aim to find solutions like this!!!
NoxIsBeautiful
Thats such a great idea 💡
This is a great idea!
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