[Ad-gifted] Today’s book review features The Housemates by Tuen Thebes.
Published by September Publishing, the book shares about twenty-one-year-old nursing student Teun Toebes (both broke and curious) decided to move into a nursing home and experience the daily life of elderly residents, not as a nurse or a carer – but as a housemate. The experience was to change his life, as well as the lives of his new friends.
Tuen Thebes has a background in nursing and resolves to find an alternative way to view the daily lives of the residents of a care home who have dementia. He doesn’t go in to work there, he becomes a resident who will live alongside those who receive the care. This is so that he can ‘remain on equal footing’ with them. This allows him to form personal bonds and relationships with the residents and get a true sense of what life is really like for them. Tuen captures his interactions with a range of personalities and highlights what life is truly like for them from the wily Tineke to the honest Murielle. Tuen quickly realises the harsh realities of care for the elderly with dementia and he vows to, ‘create moments that matter’!
A number 1 bestseller in the Netherlands, The Housemates is Teun Toebes’ story of his years of being a housemate, the friends who changed him and a heartfelt cry for change in how we care for the elderly.
What did I think of the book
The book is a thought-provoking read, highlighting and challenging our perception of dementia, particularly within a care home setting.
The author believes that people with this diagnosis, do not necessarily receive the care they deserve, due to their autonomy and self determination being withdrawn, in effect by those employed to care for them.
The issues raised are not new but are presented from a new perspective in that questions and observations are drawn from the author’s experiences whilst living in a care home alongside the residents: his housemates.
He is calling for a change in the way that society views those with a diagnosis of dementia, seeking care to be focused on people’s individual wishes rather than their actual or perceived needs.
How much is the book and where can you buy it?
The paperback copy of The Housemates costs £10.72 while the Kindle Edition is priced at £7.99. Please check Amazon for the latest pricing as this may change.
About the Author
As the eldest in a family of four, with a mother who is a nurse, care has always been part of Teun Toebes’ life. So, the choice to study Higher Vocational Education nursing and Care Ethics and Policy was a logical step – the choice to work with people living with dementia was not. During a compulsory internship he was introduced to dementia care and has not been able to let go of it since.
Currently, Teun contributes to dementia care by not only observing and studying people living with dementia, but by living with them permanently on a closed ward of a nursing home. He focuses on having fun and maintaining personal contact with all his housemates to create moments of happiness and thus improve their quality of life.
Teun is the passionate co-founder and ambassador of the Article 25 Foundation. He often appears in the media and is seen as an inspiring face of dementia care in Europe. Teun has won several awards for his work and initiatives, strengthening his mission to make dementia care more humane worldwide.
About the book
Publisher : September Publishing
Language : English
Paperback : 256 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1914613395
Dimensions : 12.7 x 1.27 x 19.69 cm
Review by: Rowena Jukes in conjunction with Rose Bridges
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* Disclaimer: We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
22 comments
This book sounds most eye-opening regarding the care of patients with dementia. Thank you for the introduction and honest review of the book.
You are welcome
It’s so hard to know if they are getting the right care. Some things are worth getting right and that is one of them.
I agree 100%
This sounds incredibly powerful. There is so much to learn from experiences like these. While I’ve never had them, I find books like this that explore them incredibly fascinating.
Agree, sometimes are need books to help us understand certain topics
I had a relative with dementia, so I am really interested in reading this. I’ve always had special connections with my elderly relatives, so this is just the kind of thing I’ll love.
How lovely of you to share that, yes it sounds like this book would be the perfect read for you Claudia
I love that the book highlights such an important issue. My grandma had dementia and it was very challenging to manage.
Sorry to hear that, it is never easy, the book offers some form of comfort as well
This sounds like a wonderful book! I have heard about this strategy, and it would be interesting to check out this book and read more.
Hope you enjoy the read
Sound great! I’ll definitely be adding “The Housemates” to my reading list.
Glad to hear
That’s really an interesting book to read regarding the care of patients with dementia. Thanks for the book review and recommendation
You are welcome
What a beautiful story and inspiring read. My grandparents bother suffered from dementia so it’s something I’ve witnessed and understand the pains of. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry to hear that, it is not easy so the book offers some form of comfort in a way
I truly believe that this is a book that I must pick up and give it a read. I don’t have any idea of people with dementia but I think that this book will educate me.
Yes it certainly would and how they react and how to care for them
Wow what an intersting aspect for a book and it sounds like a wonderful read. I will have to add this to my list so that I can pick it up! I do enjoy learning and reading!
It is such a good book and delves into so aspects of ‘care home’ and nursing as well