The time has come when the cry for help can be heard in every desperate plea of the elderly, and the Roodepoort Old People’s Forum, one of many, reached out when they heard the cry.
Through their macro-meeting that will be held on 2 November at the Roodepoort Centre of the Aged (Roodepoort Sentrum vir Bejaardes), they are initiating their care-action project to help the Old Age and Retirement homes in need. The meeting will run from 9.30am to 11.30am, and will give representatives from the homes the opportunity to inform the community about all the problems they are facing, and their needs.
Roodepoort Care for the Aged (RCA) (an NPO that was created to help the registered Old Age and Retirement homes and provide the necessary caregivers, food, security, and operate the old age homes in the best functional way, through funds provided by the Department of Social Development (DSD), and by sponsors) has decided to close down after a cut in their funding from DSD. The homes – Klein Helderkruin, Tornado Park, Davidsonville, Donovan MacDonald, Bram Fischer’s, Doornkop, Doornkop Thulani and Dobsonville – that were under their care, have been left stranded without the needed caregivers, social workers, food supply and cooks. The homes are also facing problems of overdue maintenance that has not been done.
Read the following article to read more about the issues that the Old Age/ Retirement homes are facing:
Three of the most important focus points for the action programme, namely food supply and finances; medical care; and security will be discussed. A dramatised introduction will also be delivered by Barry van Rensburg, about people in need. Hennie Lombard will be giving an informative message through a musical event.
All the participants will have the chance to state their idea for a possible solution to solve the ongoing problems at these homes.
Ward councillors, residential forums, charity organisations, cultural unions, and members of the general community have been called upon to help find a way, and take action to help the elderly people in our community. If your heart is willing to help, please attend the care-action meeting.
For any information regarding the Old Age and Retirement homes’ issues, the care-action meeting, and ways to help, contact halisjec@caxton.co.za.
