Park Care Centre’s Christmas appeal

Park Care Centre, based in Parktown, is appealing to the community to reach out and help their Christmas wishes come true this year.

“The immediate needs of the centre vary as we are a 24-hour frail care centre,” explained Jacqui Smith, business development officer of the centre.

She added that there is an urgent need of a vehicle that can seat up to six or 10 people. This is to transport some of the centre’s residents to and from hospitals, clinics and other compulsory appointments.

“After much wear and tear, our current vehicle, since 2006 breaks down repeatedly, is unreliable and problematic, and is undergoing more recurrent repairs than what is adequate, leaving personnel to ineffectively use a standard motorcar, causing more travel and unwarranted and excessive costs.”

The centre needs help with regards to the food and meals they serve as sometimes it proves difficult as they have to serve certain foods to some of their frail residents.

Basic toiletries are also needed for several residents who are dependent on the centre to provide them with essential monthly items for daily personal hygiene and wellbeing such as toilet paper, aqueous cream, shampoo, soap, toothpaste and deodorant.

Smith urges the community to care for an elderly person by building a friendship of care, visiting the person, and buying essential items or treats. “There are a substantial number of residents who have no one – no family, nor friends. Circumstances and distances are merely some of the contributing factors that cause many of the Park Care people to feel lonely, separated, solitary, out-of-the-way and needing personal attention from people,” she said.

Adult Colouring Therapy is one of the programmes that the centre runs. They need colouring pens and pencils. Another need is adult nappies for some of the residents.

Details: Park Care Centre 011 482 2060.