A Dutch nurse has opened a special courtyard for senior citizens where they can fight loneliness by remaining in continuous contact with their fellows.
The place is designed such that the residents can get instant care and assistance whenever needed.
Jennifer Hofmeijer, the creator of the yard situated in Dutch town Anna Paulowna, aims to provide abandoned elders a sort of place where they can recreate ‘good old days.’
Besides a feeling of security, the project will allow them to enjoy social contact with fellows. The seniors there will also be facilitated by instant care, assistance, and daily-life comforts.
The courtyard, Polder Hofje, offers everything like social network, stability, and care at a single place.
What’s more amazing is that the houses are future-proof and elders living there will be able to invite guests to their homes, indicating that children and grandchildren can stay the night there too.
Jennifer said: “People love having some space, people love an environment where they can invite people.”
The residents can also purchase permanent services such as maintenance and care from the Homeowners Association.
Every house is equipped with facilities that an elderly person needs, including lifts and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms.
By providing the services of a nurse who’ll always be nearby, the project undoubtedly meets every criterion to provide a carefree and healthy lifestyle to seniors.
The idea for the project was taken from old courtyards in Amsterdam and Alkmaar ‘to connect people here so that they do not have to face the threat of loneliness.’
The courtyard is constructed in an old Dutch housing style, using stepped and bell gables. Besides a water pump, it has a lawn in the middle, encircled by the spaces where people can gather.
Jennifer is an expert in elderly care as she has been working in this domain since she was just 17.
She previously established the Polder Résidence for dementia patients in Breezand in 2011. After that, she developed another facility called Polder Hoeve, where 22 seniors are currently spending their lives.
Jennifer said: “Nowadays people have their own rooms. But the welfare is inadequate.
“If you don’t do anything with these people, if I just sit them down at the breakfast table in the morning, nothing would happen.
“Elderly care needs to be done differently; money should not be spent on managers but on people in the workplace.”
Replaced!