Apr 24, 2023 | Healthcare, HSFA Volunteers, Occupational Therapy
The residents of the Support Centre (one of our the HSFA Frail Care units) have benefitted from six Occupational Therapy students from Stellenbosch University who have begun their research study at the Society observing older persons in residential facilities and their cognitive abilities. Their observation was in early April 2023 and will repeat for a week in May 2023. The study is managed by Prof. Nicola Ann Plastow. Photo below left to right: Adri Snyman Risk Manager HSFA, Hanlie Theron Unit Manager Frail Care, Shivani Naidoo, Elzaan Blaauw, Fatima Moos, Fiona Smith, Tyla Fleischer, Kayla Burger, Nellie Botha HSFA Occupational Therapist and Rika Rodd CEO HSFA, #occupationaltherapy #stellenboschuniversity
Apr 22, 2023 | Frail Care, Healthcare, Occupational Therapy, Somerset West
Occupational Therapy is very important work with regard elderly patients to teach them exercise and rehabilitation techniques that make completing daily tasks, such as dressing, eating, and bathing, much easier. Occupational therapists help patients improve their fine and basic motor skills, strength, dexterity, and their range of motion. We welcome our new OT Nellie Botha to the HSFA family, She qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 1997 at Stellenbosch University and gained experience in SA and the UK, in a variety of hospitals, rehab units, a group home, community teams and community centres with adult and elderly patients who had physical and/or mental health problems. She has been working in the Helderberg area in neurology- and physical rehab, elderly and dementia care and as locum OT at a mental health clinic.
Nellie is now assisting the nursing and management team at HSFA to assess residents who might have had a fall or a decline in function to advise on the support they need.
The HSFA arranged training on how to use a hoist (bed lift) to help our OT’s or nurses get residents into their beds.
Apr 22, 2023 | Acts of kindness, Assisted Living, Frail Care, Healthcare, HSFA Volunteers, Independent living retirement
April is Global Volunteer month reminding us to recognise the volunteers that spread happiness through their unselfish kindness in the world. Thank you to our wonderful HSFA volunteer team that support the HSFA with their efforts in the charity shop, kiosk, gardens, art classes, reading, talk groups and so much more! See below one of our new volunteers Claire Wilson in the HSFA Support Centre being a great listener and companion with her radiating smile whilst soothing and massaging hands and feet of our frail residents. Our residents enjoy the art classes of Rose Malan and Carol Spencer. Do not forget the work done by our dedicated charity shop team who manage the shop every Friday. Helpers are currently needed in the HSFA Charity shop. Should you wish to apply to volunteer at the HSFA please contact Shireen Van Reenen on 021852 5130 or email shireen@hsfa.org.za. #volunteers #volunteersmonth
Mar 25, 2022 | Healthcare, Holiday care, Nurses, Respite, Retirement, Somerset West, Temporary Elderly Care
Caring for your loved one and need a break these upcoming holidays? The Helderberg Society For the Aged also provides short term temporary holiday accommodation with carers / nurses as required. Call Charlotte Smith Assisted Living Manager 021 8515711 or Hanlie Theron, Frail Care Unit Manager now on 021 8525130. Click here for the full brochure.
Mar 10, 2022 | Healthcare, Nurses, Retirement, Somerset West
The HSFA is a firm believer in skills and capability development of our own staff and of future carers, in order to offer the best service to our residents and the elderly community. The HSFA and OASIS Training Centre – PTY Ltd have collaborated allowing their training centre students an opportunity to do the practical part of their course at the HSFA. OASIS students were placed at the HSFA to job-shadow our carers, as part of their 6-week practical training, during their 3-month course. These students were allocated shifts, and job-shadowed and learnt practical caring with our HSFA carers. As part of the practical training, they had to learn specific caring tasks, as per their curriculum, in order to graduate. We are proud to laud the hardworking students of the first program with us at their graduation, and now welcome a new set of students in the second!


Jan 21, 2022 | Donate to Elderly, Healthcare, Retirement, Somerset West
Listen to Rene Anderson, Operations Manager for the Helderberg Society For the Aged being interviewed on Radio Helderberg discussing stages of retirement and the accommodation options available at the HSFA as well as how to donate to the HSFA on their new online shop “SHOP FOR US” – a fundraising donations shop.