They are retired but (re) give a boost to companies.
In a society where "the number of 75-84 year olds will record unprecedented growth of 49% between 2020 and 2030, going from 4.1 million to 6.1 million", according to the government, the association Les Miamies has decided to put “the wealth of seniors” for the benefit of the entrepreneurial world.
Based in Mareil-Marly (Yvelines), the structure knocks on the door of accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people (Ehpad) or service residences, which welcome independent seniors, to offer them the opportunity to participate in business projects.
The association has already raised more than 10,000 euros on Ulule during a crowdfunding campaign which is due to end at the end of the week.
In Versailles, the Domitys residence is in full swing this Tuesday.
Sitting in the middle of a series of paintings, a group of tenants talk about Jerusalem artichokes, turnips and culinary practices.
They are between 68 and 90 years old, their names are Annie, Claude, Marie-Odile, Suzanne, and are in the midst of “brainstorming” with the writer Isabella Obrist.
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“We lived at a time when we had to do everything on our own, that supposes having resources and creativity”, explains Annie, 68 years old.
From the top of her 85 years, Suzanne agreed to participate in the preparation of the book "Little Happy Belly", "to feel useful".
"We can always contribute something through our professional and personal experience, but we have to be interested in the project, even at 80 years old", smiles the retiree.
It is essential to have "stimulating projects, otherwise we will collapse"
At his side, Claude, a former pilot instructor, "knows absolutely nothing about cooking".
“But during my life, I have discovered peoples in Africa with different culinary habits from ours.
"Marie-Odile, she admits having" now very want to let herself be carried away ", yet she also considers it essential" to have more stimulating projects ".
"Otherwise we are in decline," says the resident, who arrived barely a month ago.
A graduate in traditional Chinese medicine, Isabella Obrist is already aware of the subject, she who lived with her grandmother.
“In ancient Chinese society, there is an important notion, that of respect for generations before us,” says Isabella Obrist.
So, when Les Miamies asked her to collaborate with seniors, she didn't hesitate for a second.
“They opened a door for me that I had forgotten, the maximum use of all foods such as radish tops for soup, and this is where transmission is important, underlines the head of business.
As long as we are alive, we have something to contribute to others.
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"Their experience is not to be thrown in the dumpster"
A point of view fully supported by the president of the association.
“I volunteered in a retirement home, how many times I heard people say that they had become useless, says Marine Leonard.
This inclusive project aims to have more consideration for our seniors because their experience is not to be thrown in the dumpster.
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This “innovative” approach can only fully delight the management of the Domitys residence.
“It's finally something new.
It is rare, sincerely, to find associations and companies that value seniors so much, believes Manuela Poisson, responsible for partnerships.
It allows our residents to maintain their physical and psychological autonomy and, above all, to ensure that it improves.
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