New board hopes to energise Gerald Fitzpatrick Home
Board members at Gerald Fitzpatrick Home are hopeful of better things to come.
New members of the board of directors at Gerald Fitzpatrick Home in Bertrams described their experience at the home as “beyond words”.
Craig Barendsen and David Hayes were speaking during the celebration of a resident’s 101st birthday on March 15.
Hayes said his association with Gerald Fitzpatrick Home, which comes amid an overhaul of the board, has been a blessing.
“If it is a blessing to help one person, then how much of a blessing is it to be able to help 84,” remarked Hayes.
“Just to be able to do that in life is the most amazing gift we can have.”
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Barendsen, the former chairperson of the Joburg Youth Orchestra’s board of directors and current chairperson of the board at Gerald Fitzpatrick, said it should be the natural response of anyone to want to help the home.
“How can you look at this home and not want to help? You have no choice but to help,” said Barendsen.
He said the new board hopes to inject more energy and a sense of urgency at the home.
“What you typically see with the elderly here, is that a lot of their families are either not in the area or have left the country. We want to give the elderly something to look forward to on a weekly basis, while giving them a sense of purpose in life.”
Included on the home’s list of requirements is donations.
Hayes said there is very little sponsorship coming in at the moment.
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“A lot of people provide sponsorship once a year, host a party and think they have done their required bit for society, but it doesn’t work like that.
“People live every single day and not just for one day a year. These residents need to be cared for at the highest possible level and that’s what we aim to do, going forward,” said Hayes.
“If we want to bring back life into the elderly people, give them a reason to live and promote energy at the home, we also need to allow the younger generation to appreciate the older generation,” Barendsen added.
“Not everybody has money and we know how difficult the economy is. But people can give of their time by coming in and reading a book to an elderly person, or by having a cup of tea with them.
“Schoolchildren can come in and listen to a story from an elderly person. These are all important things that we absolutely urge everyone out there to start thinking about.”
Contact Gerald Fitzpatrick Home on 011 614 9160 or email admin@gfhome.co.za
