DW went along as carers in Belgium took techno fan grandmas and grandpas out dancing to clubs and music festivals.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Dance music, drinks and DJs are fixtures of Belgian summers.
00:05But not every festival can boast a guest list like this one.
00:09In this Brussels care home, party goers like 88-year-old Ria Entree are still busy primping and prepping.
00:17I used to go out, I met my husband at a ball.
00:23But in those days when you went to balls, you had to wear a long dress.
00:28These residents are joining a special trip with Papi Boom,
00:34a local organisation dedicated to helping older people live fuller lives.
00:39And as soon as they arrive in the Belgian town of Flobek, the clubbers make a beeline for the dance floor.
00:45It's great. I feel 20 years younger.
00:50The new guests quickly make an impression on the rest of the crowd.
00:58I bet when I'm their age, I'll be here too.
01:02Though the atmosphere isn't everyone's cup of tea.
01:06It's not my kind of music, there's too much boom boom, but it's nice to experience it from time to time.
01:13Keeping people happy isn't the organisers' only concern.
01:17Before each outing, doctors decide whether residents who want to go are physically well enough.
01:24These people are still alive. They still want to live and experience lots of things.
01:28But they're still older people, even if we have this vision.
01:31So we have to be careful and not take too many risks.
01:34We want them to return to the care home in good health and with beautiful images in their mind.
01:39So far, Papi Boom has taken Belgian care home residents out to nightclubs and concerts,
01:45and a senior speed dating event is also in the works.
01:49It's all about making day-to-day life more fun and fighting loneliness.
01:53Like most European countries, Belgium has an ageing population.
01:57So that challenge of trying to make sure people can keep having fun as they grow older will be even more important in future.
02:04This rare space for connecting between generations is also an opportunity for those with more experience to share advice.
02:12You have to laugh in this life and stay in good spirits.
02:17That's how you grow so old.
02:21For now, these festival goers are heading back home with new memories as the sun sets on this Belgian summer.