The three-day Eden Alternative training course took place during the second week of February and was attended by staff members of a number of Rand Aid association centres.
Eden Alternative is a small non-profit organisation already making a big difference in the country. The philosophy is based on the core belief that aging should be a continued stage of development and growth, rather than a period of decline. The Rand Aid team joined 25 people of various homes, nursing facilities and care centres around Johannesburg at Retire@Midstream, which hosted the mindset training session.
Towards the end of last year, Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre became the first organisation in Johannesburg and the second in Africa, to become a member of the Eden Alternative South Africa registry. Years of hard work transformed the care centre from an institutional place of nursing into a nurturing and enabling home.
Eden Alternative offers more than excellent nursing care, good housekeeping, nutritious food and efficient administration. It creates homes where each person feels valued, has the opportunity to grow, to develop new interests, practise old and new hobbies, socialise with family and friends, contribute to the community and have meaningful relationships with staff and other elders.
Rand Aid is committed to rolling out the Eden Alternative principles at all its centres which cater for various income means and includes four retirement villages, Inyoni Creek, Thornhill Manor, Elphin Lodge and Tarentaal, two care centres, Ron Smith Care Centre and Thembalami, as well as a substance abuse treatment centre, Wedge Gardens.
Jackie Scott, Thornhill Manor’s deputy manager said, “It was the most enjoyable experience and amazing to see the enthusiasm of all who participated. Watching the paradigm shift of those attending was inspiring. We all left the course feeling excited to share our experience and implement the tools we had just been given.”
For more information about Eden Alternative visit www.edenalt.co.za
Have you trained with an organisation that you believe the community should be aware of? Tell us your story on 079 439 5345.
