Humanitas, a non-profit organization based in the Netherlands, has come up with an incredible model that is mutually beneficial – students save on living expenses, while the elderly get much-needed care and social interaction.
The university students pay no rent, and in exchange spend at least 30 hours a month with some of the 160 elderly who live in the retirement home in Deventer in the eastern Netherlands. Students prepare meals, play games, teach the elderly how to use computers, shop with the residents, and shop for those who can’t.
“It’s important not to isolate the elderly from the outside world. When you’re 96 years old with a knee problem, well, the knee isn’t going to get any better; the doctor’s can’t do much. But what we can do is create an environment where you forget about the painful knee,” said Gea Sijpkes, head of the Humanitas retirement home.
Jordi, one of the six students who have chosen to stay at the retirement home, teaches graffiti to the residents. Town planning student Jurrien gives weekly computer lessons to Anton Groot Koerkamp, 85. Journalism student Denise feels “this is a fantastic alternative given that student rooms are too small, too dirty and too expensive”.
Taking a cue from Humanitas, other retirement homes in Europe are coming up with their own variations on the theme. In some schemes, the elderly rent out a room in their own house or apartment, in others, housing projects are built specifically to house the young with the elderly.
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They need something like this in the United States. Too many elderly are left alone in nursing homes. It’s sad.
Sir, i am ready to spend time with elders please give me a chance.