Keerbergen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – At WZC Seniorenresidentie in Keerbergen, 4 staff (Ilse, Sarah, Suus, Jan) launched a photo show and tools to discuss intimacy in elder care, inspired by a Dutch project, “Dignity and Pride.”
As VRT News reported, at the WZC Seniorenresidentie in Keerbergen, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, 4 staff members started a new team to talk about intimacy. Their names are Ilse, Sarah, Suus, and Jan. They want people to know that older people still need love and closeness.
Suus says many forget that seniors still feel like men and women, not just people who need help. The group thinks it is important to talk about feelings. They believe love and care help people feel better. Many people do not speak about this topic. Some feel shy or think it is not allowed. But this team wants to change that.
What is the “Pin-Up Pop-Up” project at WZC Keerbergen?
They called this project a “pin-up pop-up.” The photos are from the 1950s and show women in a playful and gentle way. The team chose the pictures to be fun but still respectful. They did not want to shock anyone. They wanted the photos to help start talks between residents, family, and staff. Many older people remember that time, so the photos feel familiar.
“Some residents are afraid to look and find it confronting,”
says Sarah.
“Some dare to peek, but blush with embarrassment. For others, it’s time for a more revealing experience. We’ll be working on that for the next exhibition, which will be a winter edition, with more or less clothing on the body.”
The care home in Keerbergen has made simple tools to help people talk about closeness. The staff made a flyer to explain the project about intimacy. It is for the residents, their families, and the workers. It tells why this topic is important.
New residents get a form when they move in. They can say if they like hugs or hand-holding. This helps the staff know what each person feels okay with. They have a private talk to ask if the person wants more touch or care.
A care home in the Netherlands did a similar project before. It was called “Dignity and Pride.” The staff there learned how to talk about love and touch the residents. They got special training to help with this. The goal was to help older people feel respected and understood.
