Claris Care Group
Director care villa Wassenaar: 'We are guests of the residents'
'Nursing suits out, domesticity in.' The first decision Willem Holleman makes when he takes office as director of Claris Care Group in 2017 is proving successful. The care villas in Wassenaar and De Bilt for people with dementia are now fully occupied and expansion is planned.
DATE
19 July 2020
TEXT
Jasper Gramsma
IMAGE
Kim Vermaat
Claris Care Group
Director care villa Wassenaar: 'We are guests of the residents'
'Nursing suits out, domesticity in.' The first decision Willem Holleman makes when he takes office as director of Claris Care Group in 2017 is proving successful. The care villas in Wassenaar and De Bilt for people with dementia are now fully occupied and expansion is planned.
Claris Care Group's Wassenaar care villa
In the Wassenaar care villa Den Deijl, one of Claris Care Group's two locations, the mischievous dog Perry awaits you wagging his tail. Lunch in the bright and spacious living room is almost over, but the smell of fresh bread is still there. At tables, scattered here and there, some residents empty a glass of juice or (chocolate) milk. Some wave jovially at the new face.
'In this homely and convivial atmosphere, you bring a loved one with dementia with peace of mind'
The carers, clad in everyday clothes, walk back and forth to the open kitchen to clear up and, in the meantime, lovingly address the people: "There is still a bit in your glass. Do you still want that or shall I take it away?" No one hopes it will be necessary, but one thing is clear: in this homely and convivial atmosphere, you will bring a loved one with dementia with peace of mind.
Director Willem Holleman: 'Johan was never able to find a nice place to live for his father with dementia'
Claris Care Group
"That is exactly why Johan Poort founded Claris Care Group four years ago," says director Willem Holleman. "Johan was never able to find a nice place to live for his father with dementia. Organisations usually determine what is offered instead of taking the resident as the starting point. As a result, mother and he were forced to care for father at home until the end."
Holleman: 'One of my first decisions was: blue nursing suits out, domestic warmth in'
It had to be better, the Wassenaar architect thought. And when the building on Rijksstraatweg became vacant due to the relocation of his office, Poort saw his chance. "The property became a care villa with 24 rooms. The idea was to extend his experiences in the hotel industry regarding service and hospitality to people with dementia," says Holleman.
Reminder box
Although the intention is good, the atmosphere is initially lacking. The villa is only half-occupied when the director starts his job. "The care was top-notch, but the house was rather clean. One of my first decisions was: blue nursing suits out, domestic warmth in. The walls were smooth, now there are paintings hanging. After all, this is where people live, the carers are guests."
Next to the door of each room a recognition cabinet with treasured items of the residents
To underline that personal touch, next to the door of each room hangs a recognition box with treasured items of the residents: a picture in a frame, a figurine. "Then you really feel like going home. Simple, but effective." Residents also decorate the rooms themselves - with their own bathroom and toilet, and smart motion sensors that pay attention without compromising privacy - to their own taste.
Thanks to its 22 FTEs of mostly full-time staff, Claris Care Group offers almost one-to-one care. This allows for personalised care. Holleman: "The residents can, if they want, cook along with the cook. Then he asks 'what did you used to eat?', and they will make that together. Sometimes the family is then also invited to join in the meal. But there is also time for a walk, a game and regular outings to, for example, the museum."
Weekly programme
Besides the spontaneous activities, there is a weekly programme. "Twice someone comes to play music on the piano or sing, and just as often the physiotherapist organises ball games and other movement exercises. Most activities focus on sensory experiences, which bring people back to the feeling of the past."
Chickens
So it is not the care but the person who prevails. "Some want to go to bed at eight in the evening, others say 'just give me another drink'. It's all possible." Exemplary of customisation is pet dog Perry. "The owner only wanted to move if her little dog could come with her. Walking is now an outing for whoever wants to come along; people are happy when they see Perry. A win-win situation, in short. As are one resident's three chickens, which provide eggs."
'Mother still has her own life here'
Claris Care Group does not do fixed visiting hours. "Family is always welcome, but there is a risk in that," laughs Holleman. "The other day, someone had driven two hours to visit her mother. When the woman arrived, mother turned out to be away for the day. After a cup of coffee, the daughter left again. With a smile, because mother still has a life of her own. We cannot get a bigger compliment."
Waiting list Claris
With a reasonable to good pension on top of the state pension, living in the care villa is possible, but there is also a waiting list in this segment. "My advice is to orient yourself as soon as the diagnosis is made," says Holleman. "I find that people often wait until an acute situation arises, then you have little choice. Moreover, we like to take our time with the process to make the transition as smooth as possible."
Bronovo
In early 2021, Holleman hopes to open an additional location in the Poort building - not named after founder Poort - at Bronovo in The Hague. Claris Care Group will also soon expand in Loosdrecht and Amsterdam. "Ultimately, I want to grow to 20 locations in five years to make the company solid," he says. He adds, "I always want to establish a house in which I would accommodate my own parents with a good feeling. Only then will I start the next one."
text Jasper Gramsma image Kim Vermaat
Claris Care Group's Wassenaar care villa
In the Wassenaar care villa Den Deijl, one of Claris Care Group's two locations, the mischievous dog Perry awaits you wagging his tail. Lunch in the bright and spacious living room is almost over, but the smell of fresh bread is still there. At tables, scattered here and there, some residents empty a glass of juice or (chocolate) milk. Some wave jovially at the new face.
'In this homely and convivial atmosphere, you bring a loved one with dementia with peace of mind'
The carers, clad in everyday clothes, walk back and forth to the open kitchen to clear up and, in the meantime, lovingly address the people: "There is still a bit in your glass. Do you still want that or shall I take it away?" No one hopes it will be necessary, but one thing is clear: in this homely and convivial atmosphere, you will bring a loved one with dementia with peace of mind.
Director Willem Holleman: 'Johan was never able to find a nice place to live for his father with dementia'
Claris Care Group
"That is exactly why Johan Poort founded Claris Care Group four years ago," says director Willem Holleman. "Johan was never able to find a nice place to live for his father with dementia. Organisations usually determine what is offered instead of taking the resident as the starting point. As a result, mother and he were forced to care for father at home until the end."
Holleman: 'One of my first decisions was: blue nursing suits out, domestic warmth in'
It had to be better, the Wassenaar architect thought. And when the building on Rijksstraatweg became vacant due to the relocation of his office, Poort saw his chance. "The property became a care villa with 24 rooms. The idea was to extend his experiences in the hotel industry regarding service and hospitality to people with dementia," says Holleman.
Reminder box
Although the intention is good, the atmosphere is initially lacking. The villa is only half-occupied when the director starts his job. "The care was top-notch, but the house was rather clean. One of my first decisions was: blue nursing suits out, domestic warmth in. The walls were smooth, now there are paintings hanging. After all, this is where people live, the carers are guests."
Next to the door of each room a recognition cabinet with treasured items of the residents
To underline that personal touch, next to the door of each room hangs a recognition box with treasured items of the residents: a picture in a frame, a figurine. "Then you really feel like going home. Simple, but effective." Residents also decorate the rooms themselves - with their own bathroom and toilet, and smart motion sensors that pay attention without compromising privacy - to their own taste.
Thanks to its 22 FTEs of mostly full-time staff, Claris Care Group offers almost one-to-one care. This allows for personalised care. Holleman: "The residents can, if they want, cook along with the cook. Then he asks 'what did you used to eat?', and they will make that together. Sometimes the family is then also invited to join in the meal. But there is also time for a walk, a game and regular outings to, for example, the museum."
Weekly programme
Besides the spontaneous activities, there is a weekly programme. "Twice someone comes to play music on the piano or sing, and just as often the physiotherapist organises ball games and other movement exercises. Most activities focus on sensory experiences, which bring people back to the feeling of the past."
Chickens
So it is not the care but the person who prevails. "Some want to go to bed at eight in the evening, others say 'just give me another drink'. It's all possible." Exemplary of customisation is pet dog Perry. "The owner only wanted to move if her little dog could come with her. Walking is now an outing for whoever wants to come along; people are happy when they see Perry. A win-win situation, in short. As are one resident's three chickens, which provide eggs."
'Mother still has her own life here'
Claris Care Group does not do fixed visiting hours. "Family is always welcome, but there is a risk in that," laughs Holleman. "The other day, someone had driven two hours to visit her mother. When the woman arrived, mother turned out to be away for the day. After a cup of coffee, the daughter left again. With a smile, because mother still has a life of her own. We cannot get a bigger compliment."
Waiting list Claris
With a reasonable to good pension on top of the state pension, living in the care villa is possible, but there is also a waiting list in this segment. "My advice is to orient yourself as soon as the diagnosis is made," says Holleman. "I find that people often wait until an acute situation arises, then you have little choice. Moreover, we like to take our time with the process to make the transition as smooth as possible."
Bronovo
In early 2021, Holleman hopes to open an additional location in the Poort building - not named after founder Poort - at Bronovo in The Hague. Claris Care Group will also soon expand in Loosdrecht and Amsterdam. "Ultimately, I want to grow to 20 locations in five years to make the company solid," he says. He adds, "I always want to establish a house in which I would accommodate my own parents with a good feeling. Only then will I start the next one."
