Brilliant: This Retirement Home Offers Students Free Rent In Exchange For Spending Time With Elders

Credit: Humanitas
Credit: Humanitas

A long, satisfying life deserves to be shared with others. Unfortunately, some elder residents end up spending the rest of their days alone in nursing homes rather than conversing with younger generations who could benefit from their wisdom.

But thanks to a brilliant non-profit organization called Humanitas, there is a solution to this concern that benefits everyone involved. The social service in the Netherlands has created a model that helps students with their living expenses and the elderly with the care and social interaction they need to thrive both physically and psychologically.

Credit: Humanitas
Credit: Humanitas

In exchange for 30 hours a month helping with the 160 residents that live at the retirement home in the Dutch town of Deventer, six students receive free lodging. But such is not like any job you might imagine… The college students clock their hours by happily partaking in a variety of activities, such as preparing meals, shopping with the residents, teaching them how to use computers, and even painting street art!

It’s an incredible set-up that really does help both parties involved.

Credit: Humanitas
Credit: Humanitas

“It’s important not to isolate the elderly from the outside world,” said Gea Sijpkes, head of the Humanitas retirement home. “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.”

Credit: Humanitas
Credit: Humanitas

“But what we can do is create an environment where you forget about the painful knee,” stated Gea. And that is exactly what the organization has succeeded doing.

Credit: Humanitas
Credit: Humanitas

In fact, the program has inspired social organizations elsewhere in Europe to explore similar opportunities as well! Perhaps someday in the future such a set-up will be a logical alternative all university students worldwide might be able to partake in.

Like what Humanitas is doing? Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Popular on True Activist