Intergenerational senior residence in the Netherlands

In Deventer, in the Netherlands, the senior residence Humanitas provides free accommodation for students. In return they commit to spending at least 30 hours of their time every month with their older co-residents.

This win-win solution enables, on the one hand, students to access accommodation in a country where rents are very high and, on the other hand, the residence staff to get some support in looking after seniors.

Young and older people report positive and enriching experience from those intergenerational exchanges that help break up stereotypes. Wheel chair races, manicure and beauty care, bottom up drinking and singings are brightening up the older residents’ everyday life.

Watch ARTE reporting on Humanitas (May 2017):

• in German
• In French

A Dutch Radio programme has also collected some moving interviews from Humanitas‘ residents (in Dutch).