WE all experience the “circle of life” and will inevitably reach old age, and according to The Association for the Aged (Tafta), it is important to note that at this stage in one’s life, nothing matters more than love.
Tafta calls on the public to share the love this Valentine’s month through its “Hug Therapy” campaign.
The campaign aims to turn attention to the elderly in the community who have very little to look forward to in this month of love. Tafta invites you to give the ultimate gift of goodness by spreading the love and sharing a hug with a resident.
Tafta CEO Margie Smith, said: “For many people a hug is a common exchange – one that is easily taken for granted – but for hundreds of lonely, sick or stressed senior citizens, it is a powerful emotional gesture that offers immeasurable comfort and joy. A single embrace offers numerous therapeutic benefits including decreasing stress, reducing depression. A sense of appreciation has also proven to stimulate happiness.”
Tafta plans to spread the love through the comfort of cuddles with the help of local celebrities and public generosity.
“For our residents, love is a place of hope and a feeling of belonging. Through this campaign we hope to give these very special members of our society the love and sense of inclusion that they long for. A hug, which is a seemingly small gesture, is one of the interactions that our elderly citizens miss most,” said Margie.
Join Tafta in the month of love and share the comfort of a cuddle or hug with an older person. You can also share the LOVE by smsing “Donate” to 40555, SMS charged at R20, free SMSes do not apply.
