BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM It was after midnight at Mirano, one of Brussels’ iconic nightclubs. The bass pulsed through the air, red lights swept across the floor, and young partygoers sipped drinks under the spinning disco ball. But this night was different. Among the crowd in crop tops and sneakers was a group dressed in suits, sequins, and smiles: seniors from nearby retirement homes, dancing well into the early hours. “Everyone is happy because we’re doing something different,” said 99-year-old Guillaume Vanderweyen. “That matters in life.” A retired carpenter, Vanderweyen hadn’t been clubbing in decades. But with daily exercise keeping him agile, he danced past 2 a.m., grooving to Rihanna and Nigerian star Kizz Daniel. He was part of a group of 16 retirement-home residents brought out by Papy Booom, a Belgian nonprofit tackling senior loneliness with creativity and flair. Rethinking retirement fun Founded by 37-year-old Youssef Kaddar, Papy Booom began with traditional outings like seaside trips and restaurant meals. But these events started to feel routine. Kaddar wondered: Would something a little bolder resonate? The answer came quickly: yes. Since 2023, Papy Booom has hosted five nightclub evenings, along with hot-air balloon rides, video game nights, and even day raves. “We are in a nursing home, but life doesn’t stop,” Kaddar said. “It’s a new life that’s going to start.” This fresh take on aging has proven more than just fun. It helps bridge generations; something the World Health Organization (WHO) deems vital for healthy aging. It also fights the mental and emotional toll of isolation. Globally, about one in four older adults experiences social isolation, according to WHO. “We are living longer, but not healthier and not more connected,” said WHO Europe Director Hans Henri P. Kluge. “There’s a cheap cure: It is called social connectivity.” A night to remember The evening began with dinner at 5:30 p.m., where many women had their hair and makeup done. After dessert crepes at a local restaurant, a small impromptu dance party broke out when Claude François’s “Alexandrie Alexandra” came on. By 11 p.m., the group had entered the mirrored corridors of Mirano, a nightlife staple since the 1980s. Waiters delivered Moët & Chandon with sparkler flares, and the dance floor filled with residents and clubgoers alike. Mirano and other venues participating in the program have donated the club space for these events, while Papy Booom, supported by public funds and private donations, covered other costs like the crepes. Of course, there are a few unavoidable challenges that come with age. Some residents had to remove hearing aids due to the bass, others used canes or needed help on the dark staircase to the bathroom. One woman briefly lost consciousness after drinking too much and was taken to the hospital overnight. Kaddar noted it was the first such incident in many outings, and she was feeling better the next day. Still, the benefits were undeniable. “Each time, they feel younger,” said Nathalie Lejeune, director of social life for more than 60 retirement homes in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg. Unexpected friendships and unforgettable moves Not everyone expected to see a group of octogenarians tearing up the dance floor. But that surprise quickly turned to admiration. “It creates a good atmosphere in the nightclub,” said 20-year-old clubgoer Emily Giraud, who danced with Vanderweyen and his friends. Another guest, 24-year-old Danielle Okoo, was equally impressed. “I don’t know if I would be able to do that at their age,” she said. One of the senior revelers, 85-year-old Thérèse Troch, admitted she hadn’t been much of a partygoer in her youth. A classical music lover and former yoga teacher, she joined to escape the retirement-home routine. “It’s the possibility of being in contact,” she said. “Not just talking to old people.” That social spark is exactly what Kaddar hopes to ignite. He calls it preventing a “fading of spirit” that often comes with aging. A model for connection Nightclub manager Ludovic Adrien acknowledged the unique risks involved. “If there’s a dance move that goes too fast, it can quickly go wrong,” he said. Still, he believes it’s worth it: “There’s no real age limit for knowing how to party.” As Europe’s population ages and the proportion of residents over 85 continues to climb, programs like Papy Booom offer a glimpse at what aging joyfully and inclusively could look like. Because whether it’s classical tunes or club beats, one thing is clear: the music and the moves don’t have to stop with age.The post How nightclub outings help older adults fight loneliness first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.