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The Housemates: Everything One Young Student Learnt about Love, Care and Dementia from Living in a Nursing Home
'A lovely and humane book' Telegraph
THE INTERNATIONAL 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 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.
PRAISE FOR THE HOUSEMATES
'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' Lovereading
THE INTERNATIONAL 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 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.
PRAISE FOR THE HOUSEMATES
'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' Lovereading
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2023
3 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Teun Toebes
6 books7 followersTeun Toebes (Best, 1999) is a Dutch nurse, author, and speaker known for his work with people with dementia. He has set up several initiatives to improve awareness and care for people with dementia.
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