News stories
Good Neighbors
Gea Sijpkes directs Woon- en Zorgcentrum Humanitas Deventer, a Dutch nursing home. She knew that intergenerational friendships can reduce depression and loneliness in the elderly, and she also knew there was a shortage of affordable student housing. This led her to design an intergenerational program that offers a win-win for young and old alike: When college students offer 30 hours a month of conversation and companionship to the nursing home’s residents, they get to live in the care center free of charge. The program has been running for 12 years now, and its success has inspired other nursing homes (and even college campuses) around the world to implement similar initiatives.
A Better Social App
