Ageing Safely

Abstract

The population of the Netherlands is aging. This well-known characteristic of the present-day’s society is caused by multiple factors like low birth rate and improvement of healthcare. Dementia is one of the most common diseases that occurs to aged people. Most people with severe dementia are usually situated in a nursing home where they are assisted by caregivers day and night. These are protected facilities, in both urban and suburban context, which are separated from the society and daily life. This leads to several issues such as isolation and loneliness within the nursing homes. Also, isolation simultaneously stigmatizes people with dementia. People who are still living in their homes and capable of functioning are being excluded from society. However, nursing homes are often not an option for elderly migrants who are suffering from dementia. There are not enough nursing homes where they can seek help at the moment due to lack of anticipation –the Dutch government is not yet prepared for the considerable amount of dementia patients with migrant backgrounds who has different needs and wishes. This large group of people are excluded from the society and are taken care of by their families who are often overloaded due to the fact that they usually don’t get help from professionals. Elderly who cannot get help are forced to return to their respective original countries and are afraid to age in the Netherlands. This project is a proposal towards a new form of living and ageing in a safe environment as an Asian migrant in the Netherlands, with the aim to social inclusion of the elderly.