May 20, 2021 | Coronavirus, Healthcare, Living longer, Nurses
The staff and residents of the Helderberg Society For the Aged (HSFA) are very thankful to have 558 of their residents and other older persons vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus as part of the national rollout to the elderly over the age of 60.
“The Helderberg Society for the Aged (HSFA) would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to, and congratulate KESS – Khayelitsha Eastern Substructure in conjunction with the Western Cape Department of Health on administering 558 of the Covid-19 vaccines, at the HSFA on the 20th May 2021, to our residents and elderly, over the age of 60 years,” says HSFA’s Operations Manager Rene Anderson van Zyl.
The dynamic and professional team, headed by Sheila McCloen, and her team of Registered Nurses and Administrators from KESS, are commended on the sterling job they did of ensuring our elderly, some of whom are too frail and bedridden, received their first dose of the Phizer Covid-19 vaccination as part of the Phase 2 roll out with KESS and the Western Cape Department of Health.
Photo NAMES FOR GROUP SHOT LEFT TO RIGHT HSFA TEAM:Rene Anderson Van Zyl, Eureka Haefele, Schenell Rossouw, Noleen Prinsloo, Shireen van Reenen, Rika Rodd and Adri Snyman.
Photo NAME: Sheila McCloen,Khayelitsha Eastern Substructure
May 14, 2021 | General, Healthcare, Living longer, Retirement, Somerset West
According to research, seniors who move to a retirement community settings live 7-10 years stronger, not just longer, compared to continuing to live in their private homes. They have less stress because of the maintenance-free, carefree lifestyle. There are opportunities to socialize, benefiting their mental health, and opportunities to take care of their physical health by participating in exercise and wellness programs. Plus, seniors in independent retirement communities have the peace of mind in knowing there are services available if help is needed.
Seniors who live in their own homes face obstacles like stairs and other hazards that can affect the ease of their daily living. Most senior living communities are specially designed to be easily navigable for older adults. With adult children who work, a senior who is living alone and becomes ill or suffers a fall could go hours or more without being discovered by someone who can help them. In an independent retirement community optional safety measures are in place. Residents can participate in a daily check program should they desire this service. This service provides peace of mind and a sense of security for the resident.
As we age, we may find our social circle beginning to shrink. When this occurs seniors may find themselves more isolated or lonesome. When living in an independent retirement community, residents have the opportunity to enjoy going out into the community at any time of the day to spend time with friends. Opportunities to engage with others are literally right outside the doorway! This social aspect of a retirement community adds to over-all well-being and successful aging!
Research:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313968847
Credit: https://www.bethesdahealth.org/
May 6, 2021 | Coronavirus, Healthcare, Living longer, Nurses, Retirement, Somerset West
One of HSFA’s aims is to ensure our residents are keeping active and having fun – so a monthly planner is in place with a country / general theme. Our past month’s theme was “La France” – so an elegant French lunch, where our dining rooms transformed into French Cafés and residents looked glamourous in their French style apparel, was arranged! Geratec chefs outdid themselves with cuisine like coq-au-vin, onion soup français and ‘magnifique’ éclairs! Boules and croquet brought out the competition in all of us – and a 99-year old from one of our Assisted Living units outscored a few of us on the field! We are also planning activities or learnings aligned to the Department of Health’s annual calendar’s national days! This past month was National Vaccination Week 22-26 April, when our Government announced that any South African over the age of 60 could register to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Louis Pasteur, an inventor of vaccination (rabies) as well as learning how to register online, were our ‘learnings’, which aligned to our French theme as well as Vaccination week. Fun was had by all! Très bien! Note due to the POPIA Act we are restricted from showing photos of faces of our residents (thus the silly emoji faces), so should you wish to get copies of the many photos taken on the day – please speak to your Unit Manager. Thanks to our sponsors / supporters for the events: Rory Taylor from
Taylor-Made Adventures , who taught us how to do Boules and made a few pacemakers work harder…,
Simply Sparkles Party Light Hire for the discount on party lights and mirror balls, and to
J4F Entertainment for the loan of projectors to take us on a “trip to France” and for our learning slides.
Apr 6, 2021 | Healthcare, Retirement, Somerset West
The HSFA is often the beneficiary of kindness from the community, so it is nice to be giving back to our community too! As the HSFA Frail Care wing had two extra wheelchairs – irreparable for human use – we had the lovely opportunity of giving a disabled, three-legged, furry friend the benefit of the wheelchair. Tripod, a gentle dog and his caring owner Marne van den Heever are legends in SA for helping to raise money for charities by doing long distance road treks (by wheelchair!) Read more about these two’s adventures on the links below, or visit their facebook page lifewithtripod https://www.facebook.com/lifewithtripod https://www.iol.co.za/…/man-and-his-dog-on-a-mission-to…
Mar 12, 2021 | General, Healthcare, Retirement
Sweet story. A 5-year old, Miss Lune Cumpsty, a granddaughter of one of our staff members, kindly decided to put her own pocket money to good use! She decided that on such a beautiful day that the residents of Mount View Frail care MUST have some ice-cream AND eat it outdoors! What a wonderful gesture to warm our hearts and bring additional happiness to the HSFA residents! Thank you Lune – you will go far in life as you have a big heart! The residents all enjoyed your ice-cream and some had so much fun, eating ice-cream and singing, they didn’t want to go back inside at the end of the day! Hopefully soon you will be able to come in a chat to the residents, when this crazy Covid time is over.