Sterk Ouderenwerk believes it is important that all seniors in Nijmegen can continue to live independently at home for as long as possible. For seniors with a migration background and their caregivers, it can be more difficult to find the right help and support. Our services and activities are available to everyone, but sometimes language or cultural differences are a problem. Sterk Ouderenwerk tries to serve seniors with a migration background and their caregivers as best as possible with the activities below.

Senior Advisors

An elderly advisor knows everything about welfare, housing, free time and regulations for elderly people in Nijmegen. During their work, our elderly advisors also come into contact with seniors with a migration background and/or with elderly people who have a form of memory loss. For information about what the elderly advisor can do for you, you can read more on the page Elderly advice.

Social workers

If elderly people with a migration background and their caregivers are looking for the right help and support, they can (also) contact one of the two Social workers for elderly migrants. These professionals can help with searching for and applying for facilities. Nurten Sisman speaks Turkish and holds walk-in consultations at a number of Stips (see below). Samira El Gourari speaks Arabic and Berber. For an appointment with Samira, you can call the general telephone number. For support in languages other than Turkish, Arabic or Berber, Sterk Ouderenwerk uses interpreters, volunteers or intercultural consultants.

Office hours:

Nurten Sisman (Turkish speaking)

Informal care support

Informal caregivers of elderly people with a migration background are often closely involved in the care of their parent or family member. Do you have questions, need a listening ear or is the care sometimes too much for you? Then you can contact informal care consultant Marie Louise van der Ploeg, m.vanderploeg@sterker.nl. She has a lot of experience with the concerns of informal caregivers of elderly people with a migration background: “I am also familiar with informal care in my family, and with diversity. I know what it is like to unexpectedly end up in a rollercoaster of 'caring for and having concerns about'. And when the language and culture of the care recipient play a role in the care that is given and received.” More information about support for informal caregivers can be found on the website of Informal care Nijmegen.

Meeting and day care

Sterk Ouderenwerk organizes meeting activities especially for elderly people with a migration background:

• Share the Day, day care

Deel de Dag has locations spread across the city where people with and without a migration background can meet. You can participate in a diverse range of activities (think of creative activities, challenges for your brain and exercise activities) and you eat together at lunchtime.

• Share the Garden, multicultural meeting

In the beautiful Land van Ooij, groups of Arabic speaking men come together to be healthy and socially active outside. Drink a cup of coffee together and chat with each other and other visitors. At Deel de Tuin, you can do this while enjoying the nature around you.

• Share the Day – Indian elders

At the day care Deel de Dag Grootstal there is a Deel de Dag for Indian seniors every Wednesday. On this day there is extra attention for the Indian culture.

• Meeting group of Chinese elderly

In the community center De Biezantijn (Oud West) a group of Chinese elderly people meet every other week to meet, talk or play a game. Sometimes we organize someone to come and give information or we eat together. The meeting group is every other week on Monday afternoon from 13:00 to 15:00. The contact person is Rose Kho.

• Meeting group for Hindustani seniors (HSN)

In the Dukenburg community center there is a monthly meeting group for Hindustani seniors. Every third Thursday of the month the group meets between 13:00 and 16:00. There is room for meeting, recognition, conversations, information, being together and doing something together while enjoying a snack and a drink. Contact person is Usha Malhoe.

• Drop-in meetings for older migrants

In the community center Dukenburg there is a weekly activity for older migrants. Every Wednesday you can drop in without obligation from 14:00 to 16:00. There is room for meeting, recognition and being together. For more information you can contact Conny van der Aalsvoort.

Meeting and activities for other cultures?

Are you looking for a meeting activity for the elderly or caregivers from your cultural community? Or do you want to organize something yourself and could you use some help? We are happy to think along with you or help you organize (meeting) activities. For this, please contact Conny van der Aalsvoort.

Overview of services and activities

It is important that the range of services and activities for older migrants is easy to find for older people, their families and for referrers. That is why we have made an overview of services and activities, from Sterk and other organisations. Would you like to receive this overview? Please contact c.vanderaalsvoort@sterker.nl.

Helpdesk

Do you have an individual question, would you like to discuss care for elderly migrants or welfare activities for people with a migration background? At Sterk Ouderenwerk we are happy to help you. We answer your question or refer you to someone in our network. Nobody knows everything, but together we will find a solution! Sterk Ouderenwerk is happy to act as a source of information and networker to make the right connections.

Send an email to Carlien de Witte if you have an individual question or would like to discuss a case. She is an elderly advisor and dementia care pathway supervisor.
General questions about elderly people with a migration background or questions about activities can be asked to Conny van der Aalsvoort (Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator).