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New therapist at Ron Care Centre determined to aid patients

“I find interacting with the residents, individually or in groups, most rewarding."

Ron Smith Care Centre’s new occupational therapist (OT), Simoné Botha, is passionate about frail care and hopes to brighten the days of her patients.

“It is rewarding to see how occupational therapy can make a person’s life easier in many small ways,” said Simoné.

Simoné, who grew up in Centurion, matriculated from Zwartkop High School before studying OT at the University of Pretoria.

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She completed her community service year at Witrand Specialised Hospital in Potchefstroom, working on physical and neurological rehabilitation, psychiatry, and intellectual disability.

In Pretoria, Simoné worked with children for a year before moving to a retirement centre in Midrand. It is here where she said she found her calling.

“I find interacting with the residents, individually or in groups, most rewarding,” she said.

Simoné says she always knew that she wanted to work directly with people.

“My sister suggested occupational therapy and after shadowing occupational therapists and learning the different aspects of OT, I knew it was the field for me.”

She joined the recreation department of the Rand Aid-run care centre in Lyndhurst on December 1.

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Providing care

“Since joining the Rand Aid family, I have experienced that the organisation is committed to a high standard of care and that they prioritise the well-being of the residents. I am privileged to be a part of the recreation team.

“This has made it easy for me to settle in because the activities that we do are well-aligned with the outcomes of OT for elders.”

Impact of OT

“OT can help combat loneliness, helplessness, and boredom by engaging elders in meaningful groups and providing them with appropriate activities,” she explains.

“Occupational therapists can make life that bit easier for elders in need of care by equipping care partners with the relevant skills to facilitate engagement during daily tasks and activities.”

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Simoné said Occupational therapists strive to improve the well-being of patients by engaging care centre residents in a variety of physical, cognitive and social activities.

By staying engaged in tasks, residents maintain their abilities for longer.

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