Infinitude of care for Thembalami
LOMBARDY EAST - Magic was in the air at Thembalami Care Centre on 6 November as Infinitude Design transformed an upstairs area into an occupational therapy department and function venue.
For three years, the Sandton-based design company has exercised innovation, caring and hard work to renovate large parts of the Rand Aid Association care centre, creating spaces filled with eye-catching features and welcoming decor. The renovations – including a TV lounge in 2012, the entrance, visitors lounge and boardroom last year, and this year’s upstairs venue – are more than skin-deep, and workers spent weeks on practical aspects before ‘the big reveal’.
Thembalami’s occupational therapists, along with their patients, will benefit most as they relocate from a small, dark room to the new and welcoming space. Occupational therapy improves quality of life and slows age-related decline for older adults by helping them overcome physical challenges and aiding emotional and social adjustment following injury or illness, and their work will now take place in a space filled with soft furnishings, stylish chairs and tables, and a fitted kitchen unit. Green, white and purple feature predominantly in the ‘new look’, while new curtains, lighting, decorative wallpaper and flooring add warmth.
“Infinitude changed a dull, depressing room into a bright and colourful place where the residents can really enjoy reading, playing games and doing arts and crafts,” said Thembalami head, Elize Raath.
“This project was very important to us because we needed a place where our residents could be kept busy constructively. The space was not used to its full potential before and now we can use it for so many other functions as well.”.
The occupational therapy department’s old quarters, meanwhile, will be converted by the company into a cosy men’s lounge next year. Three of the company’s staff took part in the Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge to raise funds for the makeover, after raising R33 000 in last year’s race.
“We cannot thank the Infinitude Design people enough for what they are doing for the residents and staff of Thembalami… Thanks to their efforts, and our other guardian angels, our care centre is now far more welcoming and homely,” said Raath.
Details: Elize 011 882 4434
