Former funeral director Gerrit, chef Jeroen and former plumber Alwin have all switched careers to work at Het Gastenhuis in Geldermalsen, the Netherlands. NPM portfolio company Het Gastenhuis offers small-scale residential care for people with dementia, with a focus on allowing residents to maintain as much control over their daily lives as possible. As men working in care, they are still in the minority, but all three say they would not want to return to their previous professions, they told Dutch regional newspaper De Gelderlander.
At Het Gastenhuis in Geldermalsen, the number of male staff is relatively high for the care sector. Of the 54 employees, 9 are men, which is above average, according to manager Alwin van Deutekom-Van Wees (51). “The number of male applicants is minimal. If we have the choice, we prefer a man,” he told the newspaper. “We would like to have more men join the team.”
Van Deutekom himself previously worked in technical roles. “I had to overcome a barrier to start working in care.” He is now convinced he made the right choice. “I have not regretted my decision for a single day.” According to him, a mixed team creates a better balance and stronger connection with residents. “You notice a different balance in a team with more men, you have different conversations.”
Gerrit van Ewijk (56), a former funeral director who is now a certified care assistant, also made the switch later in life. “I thought: ‘I have to do it now, otherwise I will be too old.’” He consciously chose work that gives him more satisfaction. “It is more important to enjoy your work. Money comes second.” In addition to his care duties, he also runs a small barbershop for male residents. “In the barbershop we can give men some one-on-one attention.”
Chef Jeroen Gordijn (61) moved from the hospitality sector to care because of the personal contact. “You really get to know people.” That makes the work more rewarding, he says. “This has always been my preference: direct and long-term contact with people.” Residents also approach him for practical matters. “The older generation often looks for a man in those situations.”
Source: De Gelderlander
