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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Philip Oltermann European culture editor

‘We can live again’: Belgian nursing home residents hit the nightclubs

Two older women and one younger man in a nightclub surrounded by pink-purple lighting and colourful graphics. One of the women has both hands in the air.
Nicole Walraet and Martha Beckers dance at the Lift Brussels nightclub. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters

A Belgian initiative with the motto “happiness overcomes old age” has found a novel way to counter feelings of loneliness among nursing home residents: unleashing them on to the dancefloor of Brussels’ largest nightclub.

As part of a series of unconventional activities designed to keep retired people active, a nonprofit association, Papy Booom, recently arranged for 11 pensioners to visit Lift Brussels, a 1,360 sq metre (14,500 sq ft) venue specialising in R&B, reggaeton and Latin dance.

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