Things are looking up at Natal Settlers

THE future is bright at the Natal Settlers’ Memorial Homes in Umbilo.

According to general manager, Belinda Naidoo, the establishment has been in the community for a long time and has had serious challenges to overcome.

“We are putting things in place to improve the Homes. We have come a long way and have made nice improvements and included activities for residents,” said Belinda.

She said the Homes were definitely a different place from what they were before as many changes had been made.

“We want the community to know this. It’s been difficult, as a result of the ‘horror stories’ being told in the community, but over the past eight months we have tried to get the staff to realise that looking after the elderly is not just about giving them a bath, medicine and food, it’s about engaging with them, it adds quality to their day,” she said.

At Thornhill House in Montclair, carers have been trained to engage in activities with residents twice a day.

“People used to just sit and stare and it got to me. These people have lived a life, had experiences and have stories to share. We have introduced activities such as art, playing ball, gardening, bead work, knitting, baking, sewing and card making, to stimulate residents and keep their minds busy. This has had a positive affect on staff and residents,” said Belinda.

A new maintenance supervisor is working on the constant maintenance problems at the Homes and the turnaround time has improved, with jobs being done quicker.

“Residents are happy with the progress. We are also getting a lot more donors and we aim to do work on the Homes. We are putting a lot of energy into the children who live here. We aim to create a stimulating occupational therapy room where the children can do activities. They are also now being taken on a walk around the property so they can feel the sun on their faces,” said Belinda.

Operations co-ordinator, Sandra Welton, said the focus is on a person-centred approach.

“We are getting the staff to take ownership and you can feel the energy at the Homes. We are here for the residents and they need to be the focus. They are people, not just a body, they have feelings. The sad reality is that a lot of them are forgotten people,” she said.

The Homes are in need of things like easy chairs, lazee boy chairs, comfortable chairs for the elderly to sit and watch TV in and even two-seater couches.

“We are also looking for garden furniture, concrete benches and tables and wooden benches. This is mainly for the residents up at Reshaven who love to sit outside under the trees. We are also always looking for foot stools. Our elderly really need to have their feet elevated during the day,” said Sandra.