Keeping the elderly young at heart

A GROUP of retired Durban women have managed to recapture the youth of the elderly community through their Rainbow Club initiative. The aim behind the group, said one of the founding members, Daphne Woodenberg, is to schedule and facilitate outings for healthy, mature and exciting fun for the elderly.

“In many cases there aren’t proper opportunities for good, clean adult fun. In the end, many of the elderly turn to casinos for entertainment. We decided that we no longer wanted to rely on the management of the homes and that we would organise events ourselves,” said 68-year-old Woodenberg.

Woodenberg added that many people from the elderly community haven’t gone out in years. “We particularly target residents who are dependant on wheelchairs and walkers to stay mobile. It is often difficult to transport them anywhere, but with the funds we raise we hire specialised vehicles that enable us to do so,” she explained. She added that they wanted to restore the members’ dignity and help keep them feeling young at heart.

Fellow member, Liz Jasper, said the project has been well-received by their members.

“We have hosted a few dinners and lunches and the members get so excited that they cannot sleep the night before. At a recent braai, we had so much fun that members began to sing and dance,” she said.

Currently the club is raising funds at the La Lucia Mall for its Christmas party, which will be held at the end of November. So far they managed to collect nearly R1 000 in only one day last week, but the the ultimate goal would be to fill a mini JoJo tank.

In support of the project, uMhlanga ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, has approached the mall to help raise funds for the club via The Loose Change Campaign. Contact Woodenberg on 031 301 3911.

Related articles:

Elderly honoured in Durban North

Raising funds on the run for TAFTA