Dutch Retirement Home Offers Students Free Rent For Time Spent With Elderly Residents

This is really awesome:

Dutch Retirement Home Offers Students Free Rent For Time Spent With Elderly Residents

In return for free lodging at a retirement home in the Dutch town of Deventer, six students will spend at least 30 hours a month with the 160 elderly residents living there, doing anything from helping prepare their meals and shopping with/for them to teaching them to use computers or even paint street art!

Everyone wins in this situation -- the students have an opportunity to relieve some of their financial burdens, as well as make some new friends, and maybe even benefit from their wisdom and experiences; the seniors also have an opportunity to make some new friends, and learn from their wisdom and experience, as well as getting some much needed practical help; the nursing home administrators have their burden reduced just a little, they make some new friends, as well as reducing costs...

Just good old fashioned working together and taking care of each other. Gotta love it!

a reply to: Boadicea

Not being against such things when they are being done for the right reasons...

...but it`s nothing more as nicely wrapped scheme to safe money...it`s a way for cheap labour, and it`s another one in a long list of not having to pay regular jobs, and by so, making more and more people unemployed.

originally posted by: BornAgainAlien
a reply to: Boadicea

Not being against such things when they are being done for the right reasons...

...but it`s nothing more as nicely wrapped scheme to safe money...it`s a way for cheap labour, and it`s another one in a long list of not having to pay regular jobs, and by so, making more and more people unemployed.

Speak for yourself.

When I was in college, money was very tight... I would have done this. Plus old people are cool(mostly)

a reply to: doompornjunkie

I speak for the ones who`s jobs they take !

a reply to: Boadicea

I really wish to UK had the nuts t try some of the bright ideas the Dutch will have a go at.

With good management and vetting, this could be a win-win.

It does not need to replace any "care" jobs, it could be arranged to simply compliment it and increase to social interactions of residents with the wider world.

Lets not stamp on positive s~~~!

originally posted by: BornAgainAlien
a reply to: Boadicea

Not being against such things when they are being done for the right reasons...

...but it`s nothing more as nicely wrapped scheme to safe money...it`s a way for cheap labour, and it`s another one in a long list of not having to pay regular jobs, and by so, making more and more people unemployed.

I understand the concern. I look at unpaid internships, college sports programs, unpaid student researchers, etc., exactly that way. All free labor -- skilled and talented labor -- making and/or saving some people lots of money NOW in exchange for some future intangible reward for the students. But not this. The students are receiving a real, valuable service (a home), in exchange for unskilled labor that benefits everyone.

In terms of costs, and I'm speaking from the perspective of the USA, where we consider it reasonable and affordable to spend up to 1/3 of our income on housing costs, these students would effectively be "spending" only 1/5 of a 40 hour work week on housing -- pretty good deal. Especially for someone going to school full-time who cannot afford average rent. Much of their "labor" could be performed while taking care of their own personal needs as well -- shopping for the seniors, for example -- or their much needed downtime -- like playing games. It would be a complete change in dynamics (positive in my view) from an employee doing their job, to basically roommates sharing a home.

Plus, I'm personally appalled at how "price" has replaced "value" in our world views, and not for the most practical reasons, too often simply for greed. Here, the biggest obstacle I see would be the IRS/govt, who would demand their shekels of silver in employment taxes from both employer and employee. Far too often, we know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

originally posted by: doompornjunkie

When I was in college, money was very tight... I would have done this. Plus old people are cool(mostly)

Thank you! With the cost of tuition and books going through the roof (even at community colleges), I can see the cost of housing being the difference between attending college or not. It can only make it easier for the student.

originally posted by: skalla
a reply to: Boadicea

I really wish to UK had the nuts t try some of the bright ideas the Dutch will have a go at.

With good management and vetting, this could be a win-win.

It does not need to replace any "care" jobs, it could be arranged to simply compliment it and increase to social interactions of residents with the wider world.

Lets not stamp on positive s~~~!

Exactly my thoughts... 6 students at 30 hours per month isn't even one full-time job (at 40 hours per week). But these students are not replacing the employees necessary to provide day-to-day care, but complementing that paid care... mostly with friendship.

Often there is some scandal or another about the mis-treatment of the elderly, in care homes or their own homes.

A few students living in a care home might be the extra eyes and ears that are needed to ensure that residents are being properly cared for.

I've heard more than once that it's difficult for residents to get a cup of tea when they'd like one. I imagine a willing student could make a massive difference with just that one thing.

If both generations can respect each other and tolerate any differences in outlook and lifestyle, the idea could work very well. Let's hope so, anyway

originally posted by: berenike
Often there is some scandal or another about the mis-treatment of the elderly, in care homes or their own homes.

A few students living in a care home might be the extra eyes and ears that are needed to ensure that residents are being properly cared for.

Excellent point -- thank you!

It may just relieve enough of the burden that the full-time caregivers can actually give a little more attention and love as well. Another plus!