Leeflandgoed Opwetten: wonderful place for people with dementia

As a person develops dementia, complex actions and thought processes become increasingly difficult. Sitting still and doing nothing, then? Rather not. It is better to be active and among people. If this is not (always) possible at home, a day care center can offer a solution. For example, the brand new Leeflandgoed Opwetten.

For a long time it looked dilapidated, but no longer. The old farmhouse on the corner of Opwettenseweg-Vorsterdijk, diagonally across from the Opwetten water mill, has been renovated and since September last year has been used as a day care center as well as an adjoining day care center. Day care coach Marion Heppel explains: 'Our day care center is there for people with dementia, but also for people with physical or psychological complaints and people who are lonely. With or without an indication.'

All kinds of activities
The program of activities is very varied, Marion knows. 'On Mondays, for example, we have art appreciation. Our teacher explores a different subject each time. She adjusts the level of her story to the people present. That way guests who can no longer go to a museum can still enjoy art. And on Fridays, a teacher gives a full-fledged yoga class. Useful for people who can no longer attend a regular yoga class. Some activities have a positive effect on health, such as memory games and exercise. We tailor our activities to what our guests have enjoyed - and enjoy - doing.

Seniors and children
The cooperation between Leeflandgoed Opwetten and the adjacent children's daycare center is special. Marion: 'On King's Day the children make delicious snacks together with our guests, which the children then hand out. In warm weather, our guests sometimes sit with the children eating ice cream, as if they were grandparents with their grandchildren. Children are often open-minded and can ask questions without shame such as: what are you doing? In short: children and the elderly often respond very nicely to each other.'

According to Marion, Leeflandgoed Opwetten is also a godsend for any informal caregivers. 'When their parent or partner is here, they can relax or do something they normally don't get around to. That's important, because informal care requires a lot of time and attention.'

More Info
Want to know more? Visit the website www.leeflandgoedopwetten.nl.
Or would you like to volunteer on the Opwetten Estate, for example by setting up a vegetable garden? Then send an email to marion.heppel@archipelzorggroep.nl.

In the next episode, retired family physician Luc Harms talks about his professional experiences with dementia.