AndersViewers
Care and health
Hilversum – In this series of articles, viewers, residents, professionals and our positive health leaders talk about what is important to them when it comes to health, resilience and the art of living. This time Monique Stam and Susanne Rinkema from Gesund Viddemeyeren.
Many people know they should live a healthier life, but how? General practitioner Monique Stam and sports therapist Susanne Rinkema started Gezond Wijdemeren together with two other general practitioners and a physiotherapist. Stam: “Always just pills? It has to be different. We bring the people of the neighbourhood together and discuss lifestyle. With a broad view of health, you can also see where things are going wrong.
Monique Stamm has been a general practitioner in Kortenhof for 28 years and, together with three other colleagues, runs a practice with 5,000 patients. She has seen the lifestyle of the population deteriorate, especially in the past five years. “It may also be because I have started to live a healthier lifestyle, but I am increasingly aware that feeling good about yourself is very important to prevent complaints. At the same time, I also see that people have a lot of questions about this.
To answer these questions, exercise specialist Susanne Rinkema, one of the driving forces behind the Gesund Videmiren project, visited the residents of the neighbourhood. “I have been exercising in Kortenhof since 1998 and have been giving exercise classes in the forest for some time. As a result, I know many people and organisations in the area. This helps to connect everyone.”
Obstacles
Rinkema takes stock of the sports offers in each area and works with partners such as Versa Welzijn, the MEE Foundation and the GGD. “Most people want to do something to improve their lifestyle, but they don’t know how to start, or there are other obstacles. We help them with this. For example, I give them the idea of joining the neighbourhood football walking club. Versa Welfare is responsible if people are unable to participate for social or financial reasons.
Stam came across the idea of positive health through a lecture by initiator Mathilde Huber that she attended a few years ago. At the time she wasn’t too keen on the idea, but gradually the Kortenhoef GP started to think more about the “big picture”. “I noticed that a broader view of health that makes people think about themselves changes things. Gradually I gave up the idea that I have to solve and fix everything. Instead of ‘What can I do for you?’ my questions now are: ‘What’s bothering you?’ or ‘How are you?’ Letting people take responsibility for their health leads to better conversations and works in 80 percent of cases.”
10kg lighter
For example, with that overweight boy in his twenties, in her consultation hour. “He had back problems, but I couldn’t find anything. How are you?” she asked. That question alone caused a stir. He played a lot of matches, wanted to stop, but didn’t know how. The positive health questionnaire also showed that he was in a negative spiral. After our conversation he went for a walk. Six months later I saw him again. “Ten kilos lighter and more cheerful.”
According to Renkema, this is where the strength of the Vedemeriin Health Initiative lies. “Thanks to our network in the neighbourhood, we can really help a boy like this to take this step. With a nutritionist who gives him nutritional advice and a walking club nearby. Because this is often forgotten: exercise is also good for your social contacts and therefore for your well-being. The people I exercise with in the forest still talk to each other over a cup of coffee after each lesson.
Health is more than just feeling physically happy. Health is also about connecting with others, taking care of yourself and having a purpose in life. For more stories, visit ggdgv.nl/positiegezondheid.
