Teun Toebes

Teun Toebes is a Dutch healthcare innovator and humanitarian activist focused on improving the quality of life for people with dementia. His unconventional approach began when, as a 21-year-old nursing student, he chose to live in a care home not as a carer but as a housemate. This immersive experience, which lasted over three years, gave him a unique insight into the daily lives and challenges of people with dementia.

Toebes is best known for his bestselling book, The Housemates, which chronicles his experiences living alongside elderly residents in a care home. In the book, he critiques the often dehumanising aspects of institutional care and advocates a person-centred approach based on respect, inclusion and meaningful interactions.

"Only if we look at people with dementia differently will the future be able to change," Toebes argues. "Because only if we continue to see the person will he never disappear." His story has resonated with readers, becoming a number-one bestseller in the Netherlands and gaining international recognition.

The Housemates describes how Toebes' simple acts — organising Friday drinks, planning outings and fostering a sense of community — brought joy and meaning to the lives of his elderly housemates. His experience highlighted systemic failures in dementia care and inspired him to advocate for reform. In addition to his writing, Toebes has been a public speaker, sharing his vision for a more compassionate and human-centred approach to dementia care.

Toebes founded the Article 25 Foundation, which promotes better care practices for older adults. He is also the creator of the documentary Human Forever, which explores how different cultures around the world approach dementia care.

Photo credit: teuntoebes.com