Rynpark Association for the Aged has confirmed its first positive case of Covid-19 among its residents.
According to Marius Botha, executive manager Rynpark Association for the Aged, the patient is a 75-year-old woman whose test result came back positive on June 22.
“The resident had left our facility to visit her children, not realising a family member was infected with Covid-19,” Botha said. On her return to Rynpark, she did not declare she had visited her children or inform Rynpark management. A family member then informed us of the suspected coronavirus case, based on the fact that the resident was showing signs and symptoms of the disease.
“We arranged with the laboratory to do the necessary test and, unfortunately, the resident tested positive. Her symptoms were flu-like, but she presented no temperature. After the test result was confirmed, Rynpark immediately informed the resident and her family and the family was requested to arrange a safe place of quarantine for the resident.”
The medical staff who attend to the resident were also placed in quarantine and Rynpark followed all the necessary protocols with the National Department of Health.
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Safety of aged
Botha also responded to a letter the City Times received from “Concerned Benoni Resident” recently.
The letter read: “We need to let the managers and whoever else runs the retirement villages start letting up on their residence rulings. These poor folk are suffering with bad depression and their mental state is not good. They are all adults and will not compromise their own health and that of their families, so let them free to visit and be visited as they please. Some families have not seen relatives for months. So, come on all the organisers, let us think on our feet and remove these limitations. They are, after all, humans and pay for their board and lodging.”
Botha agrees with the resident that many elderly people are suffering at the moment.
“However, it is still important for the elderly and their loved ones to adhere to their organisation’s regulations to keep themselves and their fellow residents safe,” he said. “It is also recommended to make use of the procedures and facilities available, like Skype, to connect and seek comfort from relatives.
“At Rynpark, we will always work towards the safety of our members and residents. We have lifestyle assistants and care team members checking in on seniors in their cottages almost on a daily basis, as well as delivery teams taking food and other items to the members.
“These staff will immediately report to social workers and other team members when they see anyone struggling in their home. We received wonderful gifts from two Benoni community volunteers and our lifestyle assistants can now offer all members free Skype chats online with their families anywhere in the world.”
Botha recommends that family of elderly in retirement villages raise concerns about mental health or other issues with management immediately.
“We ask for your understanding and support during this extremely difficult time laden with uncertainty and fear and we call on you to keep each other safe by continuing to follow social distancing, hygiene protocols and gazetted regulations,” he concluded.
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