Anyone who drives around with a dirty car does not have to go to the car wash on Thursday. In WZC De Zonnebloem in Zwijnaarde, enthusiastic residents take care of one car after another. You choose how much you pay, and with the proceeds the old people will go to the sea this summer. “I used to do this every week!”
In the parking lot of De Zonnebloem you will only see sparkling clean cars in the coming days. Many staff members, neighbors and family members have their cars cleaned by the residents of the residential care center on Thursday. You can immediately see that Gerard (83), Georges (74) and their fellow residents do not do half work. Full of enthusiasm, they grab the high-pressure cleaner and sponge, and in no time the car of occupational therapist Jeroen Geeraerts shines like never before.
“I have a lot of experience,” says Gerard. “I used to take care of my car every weekend. Nowadays it’s less of an issue, and I go to the car wash once a month. But I certainly haven’t forgotten it.” (Read more below the photo)
Gerard (83) also knew how to do it. — © fvv
Workout
Occupational therapist Jeroen would like to see it happen, and not just because he can go home with a clean car tonight. “It is also a good workout for them, for example of the shoulders. Agreed, that can also be done with a standard exercise, but this is more satisfying.”
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“It shows that our residents are capable of much more than people sometimes think,” adds educational psychologist Stef Pieters. “Moreover, they have lived through the time when you couldn’t just take your car to the car wash, so they know the tricks of the trade. We can still learn a lot from them!”
In addition, the residents receive a nice reward for their hard work. “This summer we are going to the seaside with fifteen residents for a week,” says orthopedagogue Stef Pieters. “The money raised here helps us reduce costs.” “And then you can get rid of an extra lady blanche!”, Georges laughs, meanwhile continuing to scrub diligently.
Carwash De Zonnebloem is still open until 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Hutsepotstraat 29b, Zwijnaarde
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