Belgium/Student kots in a nursing home in Nivelles, an intergenerational project that benefits everyone
Since the inauguration of its extension in 2024, the Nos Tayons residence, which depends on the Nivelles CPAS, has 150 beds instead of 120. The lower floor also houses four private apartments for independent people over the age of seventy.
More surprisingly, the nursing home now also has three student apartments. The tenants, Héloïse, Soazik and Ella, have been living there since the beginning of this year, and were chosen by the ASBL 1Toit2Ages, which is responsible for administrative and relational follow-up.
For these kots, the students pay a moderate rent of 200 euros per month. In return, they contribute five hours a week to the life of the nursing home.
I'm studying to be a care assistant, so contact with the elderly is easy for me and I love it," explains Héloïse, 22. It's a real bonding experience. And that's priceless."
Various missions
The mission of the young tenants varies according to their availability, their desires and the needs of the nursing home: distributing meal trays, musical activities, games, reading or strolling to the market with the residents. This project is being built day by day, but the first few weeks are apparently conclusive.
We're hearing good things from the residents, who say it's good to have a bit more presence, especially at weekends when it's always quieter," explains Dorothée, an educator on the activities team. Some people have no visitors, no family. So it's a plus for them."
Source: www.rtbf.be/
