Care for the vulnerable
JOBURG – Charity shops which fund the work of HospiceWits are closed during the lockdown.
The Gazette spoke to a number of local NPOs operating in our distribution area to hear about their plans for operation during the lockdown period.
HospiceWits
Chief executive officer at HospiceWits Jacqui Kaye explained that in-patient units in various areas, including Houghton, have upped their sanitisation in order to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
HospiceWits aims to take care of people with life-threatening illnesses including cancer and HIV/Aids to name a few.
Charity shops which fund the work of HospiceWits are closed during the lockdown.
Kaye encourages community members to give thought to the services offered by HospiceWits and donate to the cause, especially since their income will likely drop during the lockdown period. Kaye requested that residents drop off donations of furniture, clothes and other goods at various points including 50, 2nd Avenue, Houghton, on route to shops during the lockdown period. Collections will not be possible at this time.
Gloves, masks and sanitisers have been provided for essential staff who will be working during this period. The support staff will work from home. The Houghton in-patient unit will remain operational. Nurses can access a sleep-over facility if they cannot commute home. The Soweto branch will be closed during the lockdown. Homecare workers will be available for telephonic consultations. All training courses will also be in lockdown.
“We will still make sure that we give care and support to our patients and their families and ensure staff are kept safe during this time,” concluded Kaye.
Details: www.hospicewits.co.za
Reea Foundation
The residential care facility for adults living with epilepsy and associated illnesses in Craighall Park appeals for donations during the lockdown period.
Manager at Reea Alex Sheffield said, “Please continue to donate to the facility via our banking account as we are no longer able to generate additional income through our charity and bookshop during the lockdown.”
Sheffield said that increased hygiene protocols have been instituted as well as continual education of both staff and beneficiaries. Skeleton staff will be operating during the lockdown on a rotational basis for one-week periods. Staff will remain at the facility for a full week.
No visitors will be permitted into or out of the facility in order to reduce the risk of infection.
Details: Visit www.reea.org.za or call 011 788 4745.
Princess Alice Adoption Home
Manager at the Westcliff-based Princess Alice Adoption Home Jo-Anne Schermeier said, “Our thoughts are with the community at large. We are all in this together and although the impact and outcomes of Covid-19 are uncertain, we do know we have the resilience to emerge on the other side with a new perspective on the way forward.”
As of 16 March, all volunteers and visitors to the nursery have been prohibited. Only essential personnel have been allowed access to the children.
Schermeier said that handwashing practices were already in place at the facility, but these have been escalated. Staff were also supplied with hand sanitisers. Staff will be housed at the facility for one-week periods, keeping the movement of staff to the bare minimum.
Schermeier said that the home currently houses 31 babies and young children, some of whom are at high risk if they contract the virus. “Community members may not visit the babies at this time, but we continue to accept donations. Because we rely so heavily on public support, we envision a number of difficulties and shortages during the lockdown period.”
Details: Email manager@princessalice.org.za
Park Care Centre
Business development officer at the Parktown West-based Park Care Centre Jaqui Smith said that the centre is following all safety measure directives as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The home which houses 320 frail residents will not be allowing any visitors during the lockdown period.
Essential staff will remain at the facility in order to care for fragile residents. Increased sanitising measures have been put in place to protect residents and staff. Most social work staff will correspond with residents from home to ensure the smooth running of the facility.
Where residents need to contact a medical practitioner, this can be done telephonically or through Skype.
Individuals returning from clinics or hospitals will be kept isolated where necessary until it has been established that no infection has affected the resident.
Smith said, “This is extremely important as all of our frail residents have almost none if any, resistance against any sickness or virus and this will become crucial for all.”
Community members are encouraged to donate to the facility through their bank account.
Details: 011 482 2060.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/285399/covid-19-childline-lines-available-during-lockdown/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/283227/sarah14scsadagonline3/
