Local Face of our Time Part 2

The melting pot of the loyal Great & Silent Generations with the entrepreneurial Millenials & Generation Z. Our local society is aging. In 2005, 1 in 7 inhabitants in Flanders was older than 65. Today this number has risen to 1 in 5 and this will only increase in the future. Antwerp (anno 2023), has 54.7% inhabitants of foreign origin. Care for the elderly is coming under pressure. The average age of a resident in a residential care center today is 87 years. (1 year older than 5 years ago). Not only is the number of the elderly increasing, but their demand for care is also increasing. The decreasing number of young people and the negative perception that the care sector has, diminishes the number of available workforce. In addition, the generation gap and the different cultural backgrounds between residents and employees, impacts the interpretation of the concept of good, quality care. Seniors today want direction over their own lives and demand a say in their care. In addition to care, they also want to continue a good life. The elderly show a strong personality, but also their vulnerability. All these factors make elderly care challenging. Reasons enough for me to portray this part of our local society . The tension between young and old, the different cultures, the personalities of both residents and staff, and the inside of a care center are the subject for part 2. The style remains (as in part 1) objective, realistic and emotionless. Color was used this time as it adds useful information. I found inspiration in the work of August Sander & Larry Sultan, Lucinde Devlin & Candida Höfer, Edmond Fierlants & Karin Borghouts. A big “thank you” to the management, staff and residents of THE Antwerp care center, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Antwerpen (WZC-OLVA). Without their support and enthusiasm, I could not have realized this part. www.olvantwerpen.be