Posted at 5:00 am.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
In a large window room, around fifteen people suffering from Parkinson’s listen to Monique Schenk-Kuipers, their singing teacher, giving them some instructions. Like every Monday, the group meets for this choir activity in the Frankelandgroep day center. Today the session must go smoothly: in two weeks there will be a concert in front of the city’s residents. (Rating of Frankelandgroep Group by ZorgkaartNederland Group: 9.1/10)
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Henny de Jong lives in one of the Frankelandgroup’s apartments. Before the former teacher moved there a year and a half ago, he lived alone and was depressed. “I can see people here. Do activities,” she says. Sister Sharita Huizing comes twice a week to play cards or Scrabble with Ms. de Jong. Some might say that his skills were “wasted” because of this. “But if you have good living conditions, you need less care,” says Pepita Breugem, CEO of Frankelangroep.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
In the Wij zijn Zuiderschans center in the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, we try to integrate the residents into society as best as possible. On Wednesdays, young parents from the neighborhood are invited to have coffee with their babies in the cafeteria. Older people from the neighborhood and from the dormitory are also warmly invited to chat with the young parents or watch the children play. “We try to anchor our residents in the social life of the community,” says Eric van der Hulst, administrator of the center. Resident Marijke Huisman (left) likes to come “to see the children”.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
New mothers Suzanna Timmer (orange sweater) and Pen Rahman (blond hair) come to the Wij zijn Zuiderschans center every Wednesday with their little ones. “It allows us to meet interesting people. To build connections,” says Ms. Timmer. American Malory Fenner, who has just arrived in the Netherlands to join her basketball player husband, says she came to “break the loneliness”. (Rating of the Wij zijn Zuiderschans center in the ZorgkaartNederland ranking: 8.3/10)
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
The Pennemes senior center in Zaandam, which above all offers its residents privileged access to nature, receives a rating of 8.3/10 from the ZorgkaartNederland group.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
In September, a debate arose in the center of Pennemes: should the chickens living in the facility’s courtyard be free or fenced? “Some people complained that there was excrement on the floor,” says Rutger de Graaf, the center’s head of innovation. Instead of deciding for them, a referendum with the funny nickname “Chickengate” was held. “The Let’s Free the Chickens clan won,” notes Mr. de Graaf.