On Mantelzorg Day, residents of Goirle and Riel shared personal experiences of caring for loved ones through an exhibition of shoes displayed at the town hall in Goirle and other locations. Notes attached to the shoes described the experiences of caregivers, including Peter van den Brand, who cares for his mother at home; Anke Baaiends, who cared for her father with Parkinson’s disease and dementia for almost ten years; and Jean Jacobs, who has cared for her husband with dementia for eight years. The exhibition was scheduled to remain on display throughout the week at various locations in Goirle and Riel.

The caregivers described both the emotional rewards and the challenges of their roles. Van den Brand said caring for his mother could conflict with his private life, while Baaiends reflected on maintaining her father’s independence and said she had not initially recognized herself as a caregiver. Jacobs said a dementia course helped her care for her husband and focus on small positive moments.