Old school: care home residents hit Brussels nightclub

A Belgian initiative with the motto "happiness overcomes old age" has found a novel way to counter feelings of loneliness among nursing home residents: by unleashing them on to the dancefloor of Brussels' largest nightclub.

- Philip Oltermann

As part of a series of unconventional activities designed to keep retired people active, a non-profit association, Papy Booom, recently arranged for 11 pensioners to visit Lift Brussels, a 1,360 sq metre venue specialising in R&B, reggaeton and Latin dance.

"I was amazed and I found this evening extraordinary," 79-year-old Jeanine told Reuters, adding that she had not gone dancing at a club for at least 30 years. In spite of preferring old-time music to modern "boom boom", she and the rest of the group nine women and two men, the oldest of them aged 98 - stayed at the club until after 3.30am.