Dutch students live in nursing homes, keep residents company

Here’s an interesting, thinking-outside-the-box idea:

Dutch students choose to live in nursing homes rent-free (as long as they keep the residents company)

NINETY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Johanna beams at the 20-year-old stepping into her room — not a visiting grandson, but rather a housemate at her retirement home.

Town planning student Jurrien is one of six who have chosen to live in the yellow-brick home in Deventer in the eastern Netherlands as part of a unique project that benefits everyone.

The university students pay no rent and in exchange spend at least 30 hours a month with some of the 160 elderly who live here, doing the things professional staff cannot always do — such as just hanging out.
“They go see the pensioners for a chat, they play games, go with them to the shopping centre, (and) do shopping for those who can’t,” says activity coordinator Arjen Meihuizen.

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Dutch students choose to live in nursing homes rent-free (as long as they keep the residents company)