You cannot ignore the love for care with the Kluitenberg family. Three generations work in elderly care at Treant, at the residential care center De Paasbergen in Odoorn. Grandma Hennie Kluitenberg-Drenthe (64) from Borger, daughter Jolanda Eefting – Kluitenberg (45) from Tweede Exloërmond and granddaughter Kaja van der Veen (18).
“I like that you can do something for them and help them. That they are happy again and get through the day,” says Kaja. “Because it’s hard enough for them that they can’t do it themselves anymore.”
Grandma Hennie and her mother Jolanda agree. “The gratitude. And that people are satisfied and happy that you are coming. If I don’t come, the next time it will be: Where were you?” Hennie explains. “You sometimes get flowers or a dry sausage.”
It started when Hennie used to have to take care of her mother as a child. “My mother was diabetic before I was born. So we always took care of her.”
Jolanda experienced that up close. “My grandmother and uncle have always lived with us and they always needed care. I grew up with it, actually.”
However, she initially had a different idea for her career. “I always wanted to be a car mechanic or truck driver. But my father said: Child, go into care. There is always work there. I went to do the training and was immediately hooked.”
When her daughter Kaja was little, she took her to work. That is where the seed for the 18-year-old nursing student was planted. “I always went along. Played games with the residents or made sandwiches for them. That was great fun.”
Now that she is doing the training, her mother is a great source of information. “For example, if I’m doing homework at home, I can always ask her questions if I can’t figure it out.”
Kaja currently works as a nurse in Odoorn, her mother as a nurse in home care and grandmother Hennie as a care assistant. They don’t really work closely together. “We sometimes run into each other in the hallway. And then we chat,” Kaja laughs.
“At first the residents did not realize that we are family, but now that is more known,” says Jolanda.
“Yes, they sometimes say to me: Your granddaughter was still here,” laughs Hennie. “I’m really proud of my daughter and granddaughter.”
All three hope to be able to continue in Odoorn for many years to come. “Mama will continue for a few more years, she is 64. And my daughter has to study for one more year and then she can also stay in the Paasbergen. So I expect that we still have a lot of years ahead of us”, Jolanda smiles.