NEXT week marks the start of construction of a new care centre catering for the elderly at Leisure Gardens in Empangeni.
The envisaged R1 million six-bedded facility will be run by a nursing sister and staff at Leisure Gardens.
The non-profit organisation has been providing affordable accommodation for the elderly for the past 34 years.
However, for senior citizens requiring urgent frail care, options are limited in Zululand with unaffordability and lack of local facilities posing a huge problem.
This major need prompted the Empangeni Senior Citizens’ Association to embark on a vigorous fund-raising drive last year to establish an in-house care centre.
‘With the funds that have been generously donated, we are hoping to complete Phase 1, which is the foundation and floor level.
‘As the funds come in, we will continue building. We wish to thank Rotary and Round Table, in particular, as well as the many private donors for coming on board,’ said Leisure Garden’s Governing Body Secretary June Tennent.
With the closest care centre located in eShowe, which is already under strain, residents are forced to relocate to access frail care. But for the majority of local senior citizens, they are unable to afford the exorbitant cost associated with this specialised care treatment.
Vice-Chairman of the Leisure Garden’s Governing Body Errol Sclanders said they were forced to turn away senior citizens who required frail care.
‘There is a dire need in this community for such a care centre. The closest facility is in Eshowe, and the only other alternatives are care centres in Durban and Dundee. ‘Many of our seniors cannot afford the treatment and leaving family and friends causes great heartache for them.
‘Contractors will be on site next week and will continue, weather and funds permitting. We also wish to thank Paxman Construction for assisting us at a discounted rate,’ said Sclanders.
For more information, contact June Tennent on 035 7723258 or Pegs Sclanders on
035 7920036.
