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Residence Vroenhof is a small-scale residential care complex for seniors with memory impairment. Located in the former Montfortan monastery and surrounded by the green hills, the residence houses 19 care studios and 40 adjoining apartments, with care provided by Nobama Care. A residence where care and well-being go hand in hand.
The white building nestles in the Geul Valley on the edge of the village of Houthem and a few kilometers from Valkenburg aan de Geul. The complex and its surroundings have the feel of a vacation resort, with the impressive Château St. Gerlach just down the road. Although the residence only opened its doors last January, practically a third of the residences are already in use. Property developer Julien Pijpers awaits us in one of the chairs in the common living area. No chilly corridors or hospital atmosphere here, but relaxed residents contemplating a walk through the park garden while breakfast is cleared away together.
"It has been a substantial renovation, but we are very happy with the result," Pijpers says. "When we bought the complex from a healthcare facility, the decision was made to transform the building into a modern residential care facility for the elderly. By contractor G&D Project Management, Nobama Care and GEN Residences into the development, they looked beyond the bricks and mortar. The hundred-plus rooms were reduced to a nice mix of apartments and care suites. Here, people live with a care indication, ranging from light to intensive 24-hour care. We were able to improve the energy label considerably, in some cases to A++, by making the building more sustainable. The care is provided by the still young Nobama Care. The 19 care studios offer a contemporary alternative to nursing homes: small-scale complexes for the demented elderly with 24-hour care, where they can live as independently as possible. In the lean-to service apartments, seniors with a lighter care indication can be accommodated, where (home) care is provided as needed."
A concept that is more than catching on. "South Limburg is a shrinking region and faces double aging. People are living longer and the baby boomer generation is also getting older. About one in five people will suffer from memory problems due to some form of dementia. These people cannot always continue to live at home, but would like to maintain control as much as possible. Nobama Care understands that."
Residentie Vroenhof is no less than the fifth residential-care complex realized by developer Maurice Hamers of GEN Residences in the past five years. After care centers in Rothem, Heerlen, Schinnen and Sittard, the well-being of the residents is also central here.
Care organization Nobama Care was founded by Noor Nezami, who fled to the Netherlands from Afghanistan in 1996. Nezami worked in care for fifteen years as a nurse and gained a lot of experience working with people with dementia. When Nezami and Hamers met and formed a partnership, it was out of a desire to provide not only care, but also respect, attention and well-being. "That means that the wishes of the residents, family and informal caregivers are leading," Pijpers explains. "There are qualified caregivers present 24/7 and ready to serve the residents. Good care is a given, but well-being comes first. That also means that a daily schedule depends on the resident's wishes. Like to sleep in or just get up early? In consultation with loved ones, arrangements are made."
Although well-being cannot be captured in bricks and mortar, the furnishings make a big difference. The interior was designed by the interior designer of Nobama Care and is characterized by the use of warm, soft colors and attention to detail. The lamps in the dining room are inviting and of high quality. Art hangs on the walls and even the plants seem to be enjoying themselves. Hamers focuses GEN Residences on operations and facilitates everything regarding the rental of the care studios and attached service apartments. "Although housing and care are separate, they do affect each other. A care provider does not have to deal with real estate, but would like to keep an overview from the kitchen. And a warm interior also has an effect on residents. Especially people with memory problems are receptive to impressions and attention. People may not be able to remember an activity, but the feeling lingers."
The residence contains 19 care studios for seniors with dementia. 24-hour care, guidance, nursing and (domestic) care is provided. The studios have a spacious living/bedroom with private bathroom and can be fully furnished as desired. The 40 adjoining service apartments are fully equipped for one or two people, so that couples and partners without care needs can continue to live together. Should (home) care be required, it will be provided on a customized basis. There is a living/bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen and a balcony. The apartments can also be completely furnished to suit your needs. Despite the space (the larger apartments measure 100 m²), residents can also often be found in the common areas or the garden. "Especially when blossom time soon arrives, residents will prefer to go outside," Pijpers believes.
In the future, GEN Residences hopes to construct several more assisted living complexes.
The Limburg family business Gorissen Bedrijfskeukens bv has been active since 1938 in the field of high quality commercial kitchen equipment, stainless steel customization, refrigeration technology and professional coffee machines. Distinctive besides its quality experience is its own 12-man service department, which is personally available and deployable 7 days a week.
The company acts in the field of catering, institutions, government agencies, banks, schools, foster care, disabled and elderly care institutions, company restaurants, bakeries and butcheries. For many years, Gorissen Bedrijfskeukens bv has been a loyal supplier to Nobama Care and has been responsible for its wholesale kitchen equipment and aftercare. "We wish all employees and residents of Nobama Care Residentie Vroenhof much living pleasure as well as, of course, culinary dining pleasure in their wonderful new residence!"
Technisch Installatieburo Geelen from Cadier en Keer took care of the heating and plumbing for Residentie Vroenhof. An assignment in which sustainability and comfort were leading.
Wall insulation was installed in the building and underfloor heating was installed, which is heated by five Viessmann heat pumps. In total, as much as 2,500 m² of underfloor heating has been installed and there are eighteen Viessmann heat pump boilers, which control the hot water supply and part of the building's extraction. The extracted air is used to make hot water.
Underfloor heating is not only comfortable, thanks to the use of heat pump boilers and waste heat, it is also possible to meet the new energy requirements and a B or even A label comes within reach. With the introduction of the new energy labels, the requirements have become stricter. With gas heating, the requirements can no longer be met for such a building. In total, the project took a year, but the result is worth it.
G&D Projectmanagement B.V. worked with great care and dedication on project Residentie Vroenhof. "It is always very nice when you as a company, together with real estate manager and care institution, get to fulfill a social issue," said the company. "For this project, we were allowed to supervise the entire process and, as general contractor, to execute the project according to the turnkey concept. In other words, we delivered the plan key card from initiative to completion."
"It was a great challenge to transform the existing and very dated building with its small rooms and outdated installations into a building that meets all the standards, wishes and requirements of our time, so that the care facility can provide the new residents with the care they deserve. We think that by drawing up clear plans of requirements together on construction, installations and routing, we have succeeded well in this and we are proud of that! We wish GEN Residences and Nobama Care every success in operating this building and providing care. We are confident that this will lead to success."
The complete electrical installation and fire alarm system were provided by Lambrix Elektrotechniek BV from Berg en Terblijt. Marc Lambrix gladly accepted the challenge of the extensive project.
"I am proud that we were able to collaborate on this project. It was a pleasant cooperation with the contractor as well as Nobama Care and the property owner. In addition, it is good to see that a former monastery with so much history and a beautiful location is getting a good repurposing. Regarding the electrical installation, the challenge was to use the existing infrastructure. Old components were implemented in a new environment to meet current requirements."
Safety comes first, and to that end Lambrix installed a particularly ingenious system. "In the event of a fire alarm, it is important that care staff are alerted and that the residents remain as calm as possible. A partially silent alarm was therefore installed so that the alarm reaches the care staff, who can then take action."
Dols is a family business with a passion for interior and exterior design. "We are a family of friends, experts and passionate people," the company says. "Every project is unique. Whether it's a small-scale office, innovative hospitality concept or healthcare facility ... we always apply all our knowledge, creativity and products to achieve the right result. Regardless of scale, we are always great in service, timing and effectiveness. The same goes for
for Nobama Care."
"The well-being and wishes of the residents are central to Nobama Care. This is therefore the main starting point for our interior design concept, namely to provide a home for residents and their families. On behalf of and with Nobama Care, we set to work together to come up with an innovative interior design concept for the various locations. In this case, Residentie Vroenhof in Valkenburg. The special thing about this location is the beautiful surroundings in which it is located. And everything is of very spacious design."
Dols was asked to take care of the shared living/living space. "The uniqueness of this space were the shape and the connection to the surroundings. As a basis for this concept, we always look for a warmth that keeps returning. We do this through the use of color, but certainly also by adding custom elements - and very specifically by using natural materials that add warmth. This can always vary and depends on what the space needs. In addition, another important element we add is light. We make a clear distinction between functional lighting and ambient lighting, depending on the use in the room. For example, there will be more functional lighting in the dining area and more ambient lighting in the seating area. But again, everything can be adjusted to the residents' wishes."
These elements provide the foundation; the space is actually already warm and pleasant by applying these elements in the right way. "Then we look at how best to arrange the space. But also to the wishes of the residents, so that everyone can feel at home. Central to our concept is the kitchen, along with a large communal table. In this case, the kitchen is also central to the space and divides the room into two parts, so to speak. The first is an area for the dining moments, but also a space to actively engage with others. From residents to visitors and family: everyone can pick their own spot, whatever is needed at the time."
The other part is the seating area. "Here we requested to create different seating options. For example, there is a seating area completely focused on the connection to the outside. In addition, there are sitting areas for watching TV, for example. Everyone can pick their spot, which is desirable at the time."
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