“I have learned more than I ever thought I would”

Aranka van Wesemael (18) knew early on: I really want to study medicine later on. And having a good CV, with experience in healthcare, is a big plus. That’s how she came up with the idea two and a half years ago to look in the VCA job board and chose a position at Dr. Sarphatihuis. She is now indeed studying to become a doctor.“I worked on a closed ward for elderly people with dementia, Korsakov, and Alzheimer’s. Every Tuesday and Sunday, for a few hours around dinnertime. I did things that regular staff had little or no time for. Like helping residents with eating and drinking, and engaging in conversations. It was very exciting at the beginning; I had been in contact with people with dementia before, but never at this advanced stage and with so many people at once. This made a huge impression on me especially in the first few weeks, and I sometimes found it difficult to respond to questions like ‘Where is the train station?’, ‘Where is my husband?’, and ‘When can I go home?'”Squeeze“Sometimes things happened that don’t normally occur in everyday life, as these people are a bit more uninhibited. Sometimes there was swearing or pinching out of nowhere. I didn’t mind at all because the people couldn’t help it, but the question is: how do you react to that? Fortunately, I was very well guided. And precisely because I faced these kinds of situations, I learned more from the volunteer work than I ever thought I would.”Will you marry me?“Social skills regarding patient contact, that is one of the most important things it has brought me. Contact in healthcare is often different from everyday life, something I had hardly realized before. I found it very special to be part of the care and well-being of these people without any prior training.”

“It has also brought me a lot of joy. I really noticed that residents enjoyed it when I asked about their grandchildren or when I came to chat about the weather. For people of my age, social contact is the most natural thing in the world, but once in a nursing home, it’s a different story. One resident I will never forget. He always asked if I would marry him; and that he would do everything to win the lottery so I would actually say ‘yes’. Haha.”

For people of my age, social contact is the most natural thing in the world

Last living environment“My work at Dr. Sarphatihuis has made me more aware of the fact that life sometimes doesn’t go exactly as you would like. After all, the residents never thought they would end up there. It is a closed department, the last living environment for people before they pass away. That was the least enjoyable part for me. Because I saw residents sometimes really deteriorate or even pass away.”Plans“After a year and a half, I started my medical studies. The volunteer work had definitely helped during the decentralized selection process. I moved into a student dorm and joined a student rowing club. I became too busy to continue working at the nursing home, so I had to quit. It’s a shame, but I look back on a very beautiful and educational time.”

“Currently, I am involved in a few short-term volunteer projects, and I plan to find a permanent volunteer position in healthcare again once I progress further in my studies. I simply enjoy volunteering a lot, and it truly gives me a good feeling. Plus, it looks great on your resume – whether you are pursuing a medical education or not!”Interested in volunteering in elderly care, just like Aranka? Check out these job vacancies.Page break.