The Housemates
Everything One Young Student Learnt about Love, Care and Dementia from Living in a Nursing Home
Published on 3. August 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
256 pages
978-1-914613-39-5 (ISBN)
Description
THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER: an uplifting story of cross-generational living and friendship.
Twenty-one-year-old nursing student Teun Toebes (both broke and curious) decided to move into a nursing home and experience the daily life of elderly residents, not as a nurse or a carer - but as a housemate. The experience was to change his life, as well as the lives of his new friends. He initiated Friday drinks, trips out and camping evenings, and reintroduced pleasure in the small things in life: a laugh, a dance, a cup of good coffee, a chance to sit in the sun. As he became embedded in the community, however, Teun became more and more distressingly aware of how society and the care system diminishes the elderly and particularly people living with dementia - and he resolved to do something about it.
A number 1 bestseller in the Netherlands, The Housemates is Teun Toebes' story of his years of being a housemate, the friends who changed him and a heartfelt cry for change in how we care for the elderly.
Twenty-one-year-old nursing student Teun Toebes (both broke and curious) decided to move into a nursing home and experience the daily life of elderly residents, not as a nurse or a carer - but as a housemate. The experience was to change his life, as well as the lives of his new friends. He initiated Friday drinks, trips out and camping evenings, and reintroduced pleasure in the small things in life: a laugh, a dance, a cup of good coffee, a chance to sit in the sun. As he became embedded in the community, however, Teun became more and more distressingly aware of how society and the care system diminishes the elderly and particularly people living with dementia - and he resolved to do something about it.
A number 1 bestseller in the Netherlands, The Housemates is Teun Toebes' story of his years of being a housemate, the friends who changed him and a heartfelt cry for change in how we care for the elderly.
Reviews / Votes
'Celebrates the joy of intergenerational living, and questions whether we might treat old people differently' Fabulous magazine 'A young Dutchman's compelling account of his decision to move into a care home shines a light on a system that erodes self-worth' Observer 'There are plenty of uplifting and charming moments at Friday night drinks and chats with his new eighty and ninety-something friends, as they swap notes on clothes, their love lives and their lives before. But there is real urgency at the core of this book' The Times 'Captivating' Daily Express 'Uplifting and enlightening' LovereadingMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Duckworth Books
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 124 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
172 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-914613-39-5 (9781914613395)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Teun Toebes is the eldest in a family of four, and his mother is a nurse. He studied Higher Vocational Education nursing and Care Ethics and Policy, where, during a compulsory internship, he was introduced to dementia care, and he has not been able to let go of it since. Teun is the passionate co-founder and ambassador of the Article 25 Foundation. His mission to make dementia care more humane worldwide, and he has won several awards for his work and initiatives. teuntoebes.com article25foundation.com