Good news for informal caregivers and informal care recipients in the Zaanstreek-Waterland region: Het Buitenhuis in Wijdewormer, where people in need can stay so that their informal caregivers can blow off some steam, will remain open.
After a one-year trial, the municipalities involved, the Care Circle and insurer Zilveren Kruis have given the green light to continue the project in the restored farmhouse on the Noorderweg.
The shelter is mainly intended to relieve informal carers from their daily care tasks. “They must be able to leave their loved ones with peace of mind,” says project leader Marjoleine van den Broek. “And you can do that here.”
Comfort and entertainment
89-year-old Annie Mensink-Schildkamp is having breakfast at the large table in the living room. “It’s delicious,” she says about the croissant she eats, “it just goes between your teeth.” There is no shortage of comfort and entertainment: in the large room, guests also have a kitchen, a sitting area with armchairs, fitness equipment and countless games and puzzles at their disposal.
“It’s great. It’s like a hotel,” says Lidy Kunst (82), who has had surgery on her knee and can’t go home yet. “I’m alone, because my husband passed away. There was still one spot available here. I’ve been here since last Friday.” Lidy will be going home early next week.
Six nights
On average, guests stay six nights at Het Buitenhuis. The seven apartments are large and luxurious. And if someone prefers not to come alone, supporters are also welcome.
Text continues below the photo.
Marjoleine is very happy that the guest house is already such a success after a year, although she still sees room for improvement. “I would like it to be a little less bureaucratic.” A lot of paperwork is involved with the reception in the guest house, and Marjoleine takes care of that in order to relieve the guests.
Puzzle and horses
Lidy hasn’t been bored for a moment. “It’s nice to do a puzzle, or recently a woman who lived here with her husband asked me if I wanted to go to the horses out here. Me in the wheelchair and they push it. Was great.”
According to Purmerend alderman Harry Rotgans, more than 18,000 informal carers live in his municipality alone. Whether such a small-scale shelter for the entire region is not at most a drop in the ocean? “No, because everything we can do is included. It is so valuable that the carer gets a moment of rest. And that is why we are doing this.”
Normally, Annie is cared for by her son and daughter. “I live next to them. That’s very nice, I also see the grandchildren a lot.” Her family is now skiing in Austria. “They deserve it,” says Annie, “because they needed to rest.”