Visiting booth at Huis Dien Bothma brings hope to senior citizens
The visiting booth will allow residents to receive visits from their loved ones
Loneliness is a side effect of the pandemic, and it is mostly affecting senior citizens.
This is why Huis Dien Bothma Retirement Village is grateful for the Dollie’s Visitor’s Booth that was recently handed over to the village.
The aim of the donation is to give residents the opportunity to receive a visit from their loved ones, something that became a luxury when the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The donation was made through the MichaelG Trust.
The booth was supplied by Abacus Space Solutions, a division of Waco Africa (Pty) Ltd, an international company focused on equipment rental and industrial services.
Dollie’s Visiting Booth looks like a trailer and is at the entrance of Huis Dien Bothma.
There are two rooms inside the booth which are separated with glass, and an intercom system to help with communication.
The visitor’s booth is the brainchild of Annalie Goodburn, wife of Stephen Goodburn, CEO of Waco International, and founders of the trust.
She wanted to visit her mother, Dollie, who used to live in an old age home, without exposing her to the potential chance of infection.
Goodburn then asked Eric Esterhuysen, Waco manufacturing director, to come up with a design.
“We’re excited to be part of the process where we unite loved ones again, in a safe and protected area,” said Karen Olivier, Abacus business manager.
Manager at Huis Dien Bothma Tiekie Mertens expressed her gratitude towards Goodburn.
“This is the best donation we received during the lockdown and we’re so grateful.
“It’s wonderful that people are assisting our senior citizens in this way. Our residents saw their loves ones seven months ago and it has been difficult for them. This donation will certainly help visitors, as it’s still not safe to allow visitors at Huis Dien Bothma,” the manager said.
Mertens emphasised Huis Dien Bothma has a system in place to ensure the safety of residents and their loved ones.
“The booth will be sanitised and appointments of about 10 minutes will be scheduled,” she said.
Goodburn said she hopes more old age homes and retirement villages can acquire a visiting booth for their residents.
“It’s not that difficult to raise money for a booth, and it’s going to be worth it. Covid-19 changed everything and our senior citizens are lonely.
“It’s sad. People believe the virus will be a thing of the past by next year, but there is still a long road ahead.
“Hence, we wanted to do something to assist senior citizens,” she explained.
They thanked Huis Dien Bothma and all other old age homes for caring for the elderly during lockdown.
Speaking to the Advertiser during the handover, Judie Botha, a resident, said the booth is going to give her the opportunity to see her granddaughter before she emigrates to Germany.
“On behalf of all the residents who miss their children and grandchildren, I thank the MichaelG Trust for the donation. It means the world to us,” Botha explained.
Also read:Join Huis Dien Bothma AGM online
Also read: Help Boksburg Society for the Aged keep elderly warm
