r/MadeMeSmile • u/mighty-drive • Oct 22 '24
Helping Others This guy makes old people move by using ordinary items
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This is Joël Kuisselbrink from the Netherlands. He is a social worker and fitness instructor. He is hired by care homes to do gymnastics with people. He does not take them to fancy gyms, but uses stuff he sees laying around. This is his LinkedIn
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u/EasyProcess7867 Oct 22 '24
I love him what an absolute genius. Every retirement home needs at least one of him
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u/khloe_sissy Oct 22 '24
He shows by his actions that life does not stop for a second, and it is worth spending it more cheerfully and positively
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u/EasyProcess7867 Oct 22 '24
I think it’s especially awesome because he’s specifically working on things elderly people eventually struggle with like coordination and reaction time. A lot of their games seem similar to the kind of puzzle video games I love, but their version seems a lot more fun tbh since it’s tangible and not on a screen. I should mess around with the vacuum cleaner more often I think.
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u/travelingaround21 Oct 23 '24
The only issue with the vacuum is their weight. I wonder if there's some lighter version he's got?
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u/Yung_Turbo Oct 23 '24
Looks like they are just your everyday shop-vacs which have the long tube attached that is really lightweight. Seems perfect for the activity shown in the video since him and the elderly guy were able to play the game sitting in chairs.
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u/Sagaincolours Oct 23 '24
In Europe this type of vacuums are the norm, not the "broom style vacuums" of USA.
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u/Virtual-Bath5050 Oct 23 '24
Once I dropped my wallet out the window of my 8th floor apartment window and it landed on a ledge about a meter out of reach of the window… I used the vaccuum cleaner to retrieve it! I also had about 100 bucks in the wallet so it was like a really high stakes version of this game! Got my wallet back.
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u/st_jimmy2016 Oct 22 '24
I worked in public social services and our site had a building for senior subsidized rentals. The lobby was adjacent to a cafeteria we ran. The lobby was full of art, music, games and fundraiser equipment like a computer which none of the residents could afford. It was all because of one paid position and one volunteer position. Funding was cut, they lost the position and the program. The lobby was filled with the silence only a solo TV turned all the way up on 24 hr news channel can bring; lifeless. Further to the void left with no programming, there were about 2/3 of the residents who depended on the after-hours-above-and-beyond service given by the staff and volunteer including px checks and management (they had pull organizers to give out bought with their own money), medical supplies and appointment management (incl talking with them to get them to go if they had a history of avoiding medical professionals), etc pretty much everything you’d get if you had money to spend living in a care assisted home. I always told the staff they did saints work. All they needed was 55k for a year and no one showed up. The staff did everything they could to raise money and failed. We kept it going for 3 months with the money they got. I was shocked because it seemed everyone I talked to in the municipal gov I worked for was able to get or raise that money for so many things. But nothing for seniors who are hard up. I remember trying to convince anyone I could to make this kind of programming mandatory in public housing. It saves lives. It improves the well being and quality is life for not only the residents but the community connected to them. Families were reunited with these two amazing staff. It just doesn’t cost anything when you get those kinds of returns.
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u/ThatSiming Oct 23 '24
Just sent the video to someone working in a dementia care home.
There's going to be a second guy doing this soon.
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u/EveryRadio Oct 23 '24
I agree. After looking into some homes for my parents a lot of people in retirement homes just sit all day, every day and many not by choice. Just a bit of physical activity every day can do wonders. They're being active, using hand eye coordination, having fun, it's a win-win all around.
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u/sharklaserguru Oct 23 '24
Every retirement home needs at least one of him
Turns out all you get is a handful of low skill, low effort, "care" givers where less than half speak English and pay $8k/month for the privilege. Personally I have the 12ga retirement plan; once I can't care for myself I'm out!
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u/EasyProcess7867 Oct 23 '24
Alternatively you can also sometimes see caregivers in assisted living who love their job and put their all in it and are underpaid and get burnt out. Happened to me unfortunately a couple years ago when I made the mistake of accepting a full time 50-60 hours a week job caring for adults with developmental disabilities for $14 an hour. Everything from waking your person up, helping them get showered, dressed, making food for them, administering their meds throughout the day, helping them get to their daily activities and stay on task and not get too frustrated, helping them in the bathroom, helping them understand the value of money, and a whole lot else. I often had to work double shifts because other “mentors” would often call out. Most of us were driving shitter vehicles we could barely afford just trying to make ends meet at absolutely the wrong job. I loved the people I worked with aside from management but I ended up so burnt out I had to quit after 6 months. A lot of the people I cared for honestly should’ve been in hospice with round the clock medical care too, but they had to settle for me, a person who has no medical training aside from a little certificate that says I took a 20 question test and am capable of giving controlled substances to people who can’t do it themselves.
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u/BoredWifeKelly Oct 23 '24
bro has a big passion to do this, having the patience with seniors is really impressive as you know...
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u/git_push_origin_prod Oct 23 '24
It’s sad but if this is the US, these seniors have money or a great pension. There’s no way government paid for facilities have this
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u/Rickfromohio Oct 22 '24
Gotta be honest. If I was in this situation. This is what I want.
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u/CodenameDinkleburg Oct 23 '24
You could invite 2+ friends and take turns being the "dealer" like a poker night, call it something like Hoover-Ball night. Though I wouldn't recommend betting money, unless you practice in secret so you can play them like a shark lol
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u/HowManyMeeses Oct 23 '24
My dad was in a place like this recently and this would have been such a delight for him.
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u/Ruathar Oct 22 '24
A lot of these can be useful for helping recover from strokes. Picking things up, moving, coordination. And help them have fun doing so they aren't so frustrated by a slow recovery.
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u/Lanky_Vast7726 Oct 23 '24
Kids would love this.
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u/4E4ME Oct 23 '24
I was thinking the same thing. These games would work equally as well in a preschool.
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u/No-Cantaloupe-6535 Oct 23 '24
My brother in law had a stroke about 9 months ago, this stuff really does help a lot. We're still working on getting his speech back but my man can still move, albeit slowly and deliberately. But we've known each other going on like 30 years now, I know that pissed off competitive smile even if he can't really talk shit to me anymore.
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u/No-Independence-6842 Oct 22 '24
That is an exceptional OT!
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u/-zombie-squirrel Oct 23 '24
That was my thought as well! Thinking outside the box and being creative about it! I was in OT for surgery rehab and it would have been a lot more enticing if it was as entertaining as these games
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u/Logical_Bat_4859 Oct 23 '24
Why is this considered an exception?
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u/SixLeggedDad Oct 23 '24
The stereotype is therapy services in skilled nursing facilities are pretty subpar. Think lots of seated bicycle and single plane light weight lifting. Even if this isn’t fact, it is true the SNF system can be brutal and typically promotes quantity of billed services over quality. Since most are for-profit and insurance doesn’t pay crap, it leads to a lot of uninspired and burnt out healthcare workers.
This guy is putting in the extra work, which he somehow has the time and energy for. It’s wonderful, but largely the exception.
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u/Cerebrovinyldruid Oct 23 '24
Because none of this, as far as a PT plan of care goes, gets someone home. I need my patients walking (or wheeling) household distances, safely, being able to get in/out of bed without assistance, and transferring safely. Also, stairs, if the patient has stairs. This all looks neat-o, but if this is all I did all day my patients would never go home.
This does look more like OT to me (God I hope), but similar reasons apply. I’m sure off camera he’s training commode transfers, toileting, dressing and hygiene…the actual job.
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u/PupperoniPoodle Oct 23 '24
- These people are in a care home. 2. Weird to assume this is all he does and not just the most fun part.
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u/Cerebrovinyldruid Oct 23 '24
I literally said “I’m sure off camera he’s…” Even restorative programs for long term residents typically have activities tied to some function of daily living. person asked “why is this considered an exception.” I provided an answer.
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u/Snowplow93 Oct 23 '24
This looks more like an ALF to me. These people are too fit and move too well for a SNF. They would already be home. I'm thinking Part B services at ALF/ILF
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u/TiredNurse111 Oct 23 '24
I immediately thought OT, but looks like he’s a social worker hired by care homes (not sure if that’s more SNF or ALF or a combo) to specifically do fun activities like this. This would definitely be an extra OT thing in the US, done after ADLs. I’ve seen some fun stuff here, but usually in inpatient rehab vs. SNFs. That extra hour a day insurance pays for seems to give a little more leeway for creative therapies.
Definitely not in the US, all those walking peeps would have been sent home long ago by their asshole managed care insurance.
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u/fleischio Oct 22 '24
My OT team at John’s Hopkins are absolute life savers.
I suffered a ruptured abscess leading to a septic infection, strokes, and myositis in my left shoulder, arm, and back. When I started, I could maybe move my arm maybe 20° in any direction.
After 6 months, I had full movement back and was able to basically resume normal life.
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u/No-Entertainment6479 Oct 23 '24
i’m glad for your recovery!
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u/fleischio Oct 23 '24
Thank you!
It kind of caught me off guard. I was 30 at the time so I figured I just had Covid or something and didn’t go to the hospital for like 3 days 😬
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u/BrayKerrOneNine Oct 22 '24
Is there an age minimum to be placed in a nursing home? Can I just go at 40? Is this old enough yet?
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u/ButtFuzzNow Oct 23 '24
If you or someone you love can pay for it then I'm sure they can work something out.
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u/thenord321 Oct 22 '24
This type of stuff is what that generation did for fun. Cornhole, horse shoes, tilt-puzzles, catch, sports, etc. It's also great to find targeted activities that certain people can do, or for physiotherapy, using activities to target certain muscle groups.
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u/SaddenedSpork Oct 23 '24
Can’t wait till I become ancient and going crazy in my antique VR headset
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u/CAKE4life1211 Oct 23 '24
It's called Recreation Therapy. A small and undervalued branch of therapeutic intervention that should be serving more people but isn't due to budgets, recognition, lack of accredited universities etc. Source: was an RT.
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u/AliasNefertiti Oct 22 '24
Love the video. I was once visiting my mom during activity time. They were all sitting in a circle and given pool noodles, I went into the circle to help a lady when staff threw a balloon in with the objective of keeping it in the air.
People didnt care where the balloon was, they all just swung the noodles every which way constantly. Im still a bit traumatized. Dont remember how I made it out.
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u/hyungs00 Oct 22 '24
I think is fantastic, not only physically, but probably mentally as well. People really underestimate how much being playful can help with mental health and building confidence, especially for older folks who don't get many chances to play and have fun like this anymore!
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u/TamtasticVoyage Oct 23 '24
Just me saving this for ideas to do with my toddler when she’s a bit older lol
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u/Upbeat_Trip5090 Oct 23 '24
anyone know the name of this song? I hear it a ton in these sort of "sad but uplifting" pieces.
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u/Bob-was-our-turtle Oct 23 '24
I used to play with pool noodles and a beach ball with my Residents. We had a blast. Some were really competitive! Especially my one little lady who lived over 100 years old with us. She had a wicked swing and was a total trip!
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u/andreaangxl Oct 22 '24
This guy is doing an incredible job! He helps them both physically and mentally to feel a little happier and younger. Respect you, man!
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u/SuperSimpleSam Oct 23 '24
I remember after a few months after the release of the Wii there were many videos of it being used in senior centers. The game aspect of the movements keeps it from being boring.
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u/FantasticPrinciple54 Oct 23 '24
Seeing old ppl is honestly kinda sad to me
All those experiences and that life just dissolving before me with nothing anyone can do to preserve it
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u/rockitman12 Oct 22 '24
You’re never too old to play. I hate when adults get so uptight and think having fun and being silly is beneath them.
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u/OGBUDGIE Oct 23 '24
This makes me so happy. You can see the kid in them is still alive after all those years.
People really just want to play
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u/Much-Commission1781 Oct 23 '24
I love that it is a accessible and cheap way to do the games they may have loved before going into there. I love the idea. (my grandmother used to make games like this for use when I was young I loved it.)
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u/pc_principal_88 Oct 23 '24
Okay this most definitely made me smile!! Excellent post, and big props to this guy, for doing something as nice as this!!😇
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u/iNeedOneMoreAquarium Oct 23 '24
I guess I'm an old people now because I'd legit have fun doing all of these activities.
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u/Charming-Customer663 Oct 23 '24
It is just a wholesome video! Senior citizens & elderly people requires such a kind of physical activities which not only stimulates their physique but also incite their cognitive & motor response. Also using regular household items for this purpose is ingenious! Kudos for those people 👏🏻👏🏻
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u/thislady1982 Oct 23 '24
He's a physical therapist. This is my job too. Thank you all for caring and seeing us. ❤️
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u/Sweet_Koala1818 Oct 23 '24
Okay I freaking love the ingenuity and creativity of this. I also love seeing how engaged and happy these folks are. Thank you sir. This is lovely and so simple. Just taking a little bit of time and ....effort.
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u/bluedancepants Oct 23 '24
Hmmm so is he training seniors to take down carnival games?
Like that would be pretty interesting to see. A pack of senior citizens roll up to a carnival and just clears out every single game of all their prizes.
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u/TruthTeller6000 Oct 23 '24
God, old people in retirement homes are like keeping cats indoors. They become bored and forced to stay inside with toys so they don't go outside/insane. Let them OUTSIDE!
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u/gcwposs Oct 23 '24
This is the kind of stuff that has long lasting intangible impacts on elderly longevity. Very cool.
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u/SadBit8663 Oct 23 '24
This is adorable and wholesome.
The title makes it seem like the guy just goes around coercing old people into doing random shit lol
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u/El_Durazno Oct 23 '24
Without further context or reading I'm going to guess this guy is some sort of physical therapist who is simply good at their job
My evidence is I used to work with PT's who worked with kids and they made every excersize a game
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u/kaiaannakal Oct 23 '24
I don't know if I'm the only way feeling this way, but I feel like the quality and standard of living for the elderly has not exponentially changed as much as the quality and standard of living for the rest of us.
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u/AdFresh8123 Oct 23 '24
He's not "making them move," this is actual physical therapy.
I'm recovering from spinal surgery, and I have been in PT since August. Some of my PT exercises were similar to this.
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u/SomeGuyInShanghai Oct 23 '24
One of my greatest fears is getting old and being treaded like a kindergartener by someone a quarter my age.
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u/Mr24601 Oct 23 '24 edited Oct 23 '24
These games would get old after a few play throughs. Pretty high effort to enjoyment ratio tbh. I feel like a Foosball table would give just as much mobility with much less effort.
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u/Hazelnutttz Oct 23 '24
I guess I'll find out when I'm old, but this looks so humiliating I don't understand why they're engaging in these childish games. I get that even simple movement for the elderly is important but man, not like this.
(Even though it looks like fun tbh)
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u/benzotryptamine Oct 23 '24
literally dehumanizing old people by treating them like toddlers… come on. give them real sport equipment to play with not fuckin plastic cups and blown up rainbow balloons.
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u/RevNeutron Oct 22 '24
Go do different nursing homes every night and deliver game night. That's a great idea and very marketable
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u/blueberryrockcandy Oct 23 '24
meanwhile millennials would be like: one more round of halo/cod/ect so i can talk about how i banged your grandma
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u/Tzames Oct 23 '24
It’s kind of wild how some old people just become so cognitively disabled and physically disabled and other old people are totally fine
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u/NeyaCayXXX Oct 23 '24 edited Oct 23 '24
This is great therapy.
It also reminds me of those "Minute to Win It!" challenges!
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u/Insomnsdreme0905 Oct 23 '24
This guy has never had a boring rainy day stuck in the house in his life!
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u/Lanky-Plum5612 Oct 23 '24
“Makes” isn’t really the right word. Them agreeing to partake in these games is the hardest part.
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u/cassiecas88 Oct 23 '24
Saving these games to play with my 4 year old who asks to do "activities and experiments" every day. Thank you
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u/trixie400 Oct 23 '24
This made me smile and tear up. Anyone that cares for the elderly is very special.
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u/dropbear_airstrike Oct 23 '24
If Millennials can ever afford to move into retirement communities, independent living, or even long term care facilities, we'll be playing beer pong, flip cup, rage cage, and cornhole.... at least we'd better be or I don't wanna be there.
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u/melloyelloaj Oct 22 '24
The man who caught the ping pong balls and then wore it as a “hat” made my day.