Ron Smith Care Centre pioneers personalised care
"The core concept is about teaching us to see places where elders live as habitats for human beings rather than facilities for the frail and elderly,"
The Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) recently became the first organisation in Africa to achieve Milestone Two on the Eden Alternative® Registry.
Rayne Stroebel, Eden Alternative regional coordinator, said the Eden Alternative is revolutionising the way in which elders are cared for.
“The core concept is about teaching us to see places where elders live as habitats for human beings rather than facilities for the frail and elderly,” said Stroebel.
According to Stroebel, Eden Alternative thus sees aging as a continued stage of development and growth and not as a period of decline.
He said four milestones have to be reached in order to fully master the Eden Alternative philosophy.
“RSCC began its Eden Alternative journey in 2012, when a presentation was made to the Rand Aid board,” said Stroebel.
At the end of 2016, he added the criterion for Milestone One was reached and the care centre became the only second in Africa to achieve Eden Registry membership.
In 2018, Stroebel said it achieved registry renewal, which is required every two years.
Currently, only four other South African organisations have achieved Milestone One as per Stroebel.
The awarding of Milestone Two recently took place at a video conference because of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Participation was taken by Stroebel; Magda Pienaar, executive director; Yolande Brand, certified Eden educator and RSCC management and staff.
The conference ended in jubilation when Stroebel announced the care centre had met all the criteria for Milestone Two.
“This is a momentous event. Not many other homes globally have sunk their teeth into the milestones the way RSCC has.”
“It has been remarkable to witness the growth over the years. I have huge gratitude for the wise leadership that comes from every one of you,” said Stroebel.
He added the Eden Alternative philosophy has filtered into the very fibre of Rand Aid.
Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand Aid general manager, expressed they have all experienced deep joy and fulfilment in doing things differently.
“We have seen the difference the Eden Alternative philosophy has made to the lives of our residents and to our lives; it has given us a new sense of purpose and has made our work so much more rewarding,” said Zühlsdorff.
