The slogan of Belgian nonprofit group Papy Booom is "Fun keeps you young." By organizing dance and music events for seniors, elderly revelers can still party hard.
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00:00Ria Poncelet-André is no stranger to pre-party preening, but as an 88-year-old care home
00:08resident, she didn't expect to receive an invitation to a techno festival.
00:12I used to go out. I met my husband at a ball. But in that era, you had to wear long dresses.
00:26Ria spent her life here in Brussels raising four children and running an art gallery.
00:31Now in her ninth decade, new experiences can be harder to come by.
00:36These people had full lives before, but now living in a care home, they've lost their
00:40activities and the habit of going out. Many residents don't go out at all anymore.
00:47But today, they're going out on the town. Ria and some others are packing up for a unique
00:52day trip planned by a local non-profit group called Papi Boom. It's dedicated to making
00:58sure older people keep having fun. And the destination is a dance music event in the
01:03Belgian town of Flobek. The festival invited the senior clubbers here
01:08after they heard about a similar outing. And when the residents arrive, they make a beeline
01:13for the DJ and start tearing up the dance floor.
01:20I'm going to write to the care home and tell them this is amazing and that everyone is
01:24so friendly. It feels like I'm 20 years younger.
01:31The older guests quickly make an impression on the younger revellers.
01:36For sure I'll still be here dancing at their age.
01:40This really brings different generations together.
01:45It's beautiful, for them and for us. But the outing doesn't seem to suit all senior
01:52party goers. The music isn't my style at all. There's
01:56too much boom boom boom and it gives me a headache.
01:59The trip planners also have to work hard to make sure everyone stays safe. They consult
02:04doctors about each resident's individual needs before the event, meaning not everyone who
02:09wants to take part can come along. We have to be careful not to take too many
02:14risks. We want them to return to the care home in good shape with beautiful images in
02:18their mind. Older people are still alive. They want to experience new things and I want
02:24to break the codes of this sector.
02:27Youssef has more ideas up his sleeve for future, like a senior speed dating event and trips
02:32to nightclubs and concerts. Ria says she'll definitely sign up for more outings.
02:40When I tell my sons about this, they won't believe me. They'll think I've lost it.
02:49You always have to laugh in life and stay in good spirits. That's how you grow so old.
02:57For now, some residents seem tired and organisers say it's time to call it a day. But before
03:03they leave, there's still time for one last moment together. A moment to make a memory
03:08and add to the photo album of a long life well lived.