FASoS researcher Jolien Makkinga sets up advisory company "Thuis in Taal"

Jolien’s research results have shown that language practices contribute both positively and negatively, to the well-being of older adults who receive care. Interestingly, most healthcare organisations and training institutions have hardly any attention to the importance of language in elderly care. Jolien’s project will offer support in formulating and implementing language policies in healthcare institutions. In addition, she will provide training to staff and students to make them more aware of the importance of language during the providence of care. Through ‘Thuis in Taal’ she wants to ensure that multilingualism, dialect and terms of addressing are optimally used and meet the preferences and need of the older adults receiving care.  Moreover, she wants to create awareness of how linguistic age discriminations takes place during the providence of care and what negative effects this has for the older adults. By creating awareness, Jolien hopes to reduce linguistic age discrimination in elderly care.

With its services ‘Thuis in Taal’ aims to contribute to the quality of life of the older people receiving care and the quality of (personalised) care within elderly care. ​