Methodist Homes and Rand Aid Association took stringent measures to protect their elderly residents and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown.
Methodist Homes for the Aged general manager Lynda Erasmus ensures the homes have a massive responsibility in protecting not only their elderly residents, but also their staff who provide vital care and essential services to the residents during the pandemic.
“To ensure optimal and seamless functioning during the national lockdown, Methodist Homes continues to roll out a series of stringent measures at its 15 retirement villages in Gauteng and the North West Province,” said Erasmus.
According to Erasmus, all essential service staff, including kitchen personnel, cleaners, etc., has been issued with letters confirming their status in order to allow them to travel during national lockdown.
No visitors, including family members and service providers like hairdressers, podiatrists, etc., will be allowed into the care centres.
To limit access to the villages by private carers, Erasmus said arrangements have been made for carers to sleep in.
“All residents and staff are screened and assessed every day,” said Erasmus.
She included all care centre work phones have WhatsApp and the numbers communicated to family members who can either voice or video call their family members.
“We also recognise the importance of residents’ mental health during the lockdown.
“Staff will ensure there are plenty of activities to keep residents occupied and stimulated.
“Residents will also be pampered by the staff by getting their nails done, receiving hand massages and having their hair washed,” said Erasmus.
Methodist Homes fully supports the nationwide lockdown, which is in the interest of every person in South Africa, and pledges to continue providing uninterrupted, top quality, professional care to all its residents.
“We assure family and loved ones every precaution has been taken to protect the well-being of all residents and staff,” said Erasmus.
Bedfordview’s Methodist Homes: Arbor Village manager Denise Stanton corroborates residents have understood and support the measures the home has put in place for their own safety.
“As always, they are cooperative. Those who want to can go to family, but would need to self-isolate for 14 days thereafter,” said Stanton.
Before the lockdown, Stanton mentioned residents at Arbor Village have not experienced any stress or obstacles while shopping.
“I urge everyone to listen to the guidelines the government has laid down for the people of South Africa; it’s for your own good.
“Also, if you know any elderly residents phone them during this time and if they are not in a village like Arbor Village where there is help, offer to do their shopping or pick up their medicine,” said Stanton.
At the moment, Stanton said the village has everything under control, but will ask the community if assistance is needed.
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Rand Aid Association has also implemented measures to protect their residents and staff of Rand Aid’s retirement villages, care centres and substance abuse treatment centres from infection, including restricting non-essential visitor access.
“As older persons face increased risks of complications from Covid-19, it is critical for Rand Aid to respond with urgency and the seriousness required,” said Peter Quinn, CEO of Rand Aid situated on Modderfontein Road.
The association has several retirement facilities in Edenvale and Modderfontein areas, including Inyoni Creek Retirement Village, Thornhill Manor, Elphin Lodge and Ron Smith Care Centre.
“We are taking the pandemic very seriously. While some of the measures we have implemented may be restrictive and inconvenient, they are very necessary if we are to minimise the impact of the virus on the Rand Aid community,” said Quinn.
He added measures will be assessed on a weekly basis and adapted based on medical advice during the lockdown.
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