The Covid-19 lockdown is hurting southern suburbs’ non-profits that help the elderly, forcing them to cut some of their services.
Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH), which has an assisted-living facility in Woodstock, had to close its community centres in Woodstock and Khayelitsha.
The elderly socialise at the centres, do arts and crafts, play games and take part in other activities.
They offer library and spiritual services and are home to six social enterprises earning income for the seniors.
“There are 13 senior citizens staying at our assisted-living facility in Woodstock that have to be cared for,” said NOAH’s Jane Mills.
A staff member prepares daily meals for the residents and a NOAH driver buys and delivers their groceries when necessary.
NOAH’s health manager, Delia Bulcraig, is available 24/7 for any questions the seniors have about Covid-19 and hand sanitisers and masks are being distributed.
NOAH needs non-perishable foods – such as tinned goods, oil, pasta, rice, long-life milk – and cleaning and hygiene products, including soap, hand sanitisers and toiletries.
Email jane@noah.org.za, www.noah.org.za or call 021 447 6334 if you want to help.
The Robin Trust in Oude Molen Village, Pinelands, which trains home-based nurses and cares for the frail and elderly, has had to suspend some operations.
Marketing manager Aletia Ritter said their sub-acute facility no longer admitted patients with systemic infections and there had been no visits to patients during the lockdown.
“As with all staff and visitors prior to lockdown, all precautions have been implemented like hand washing, hand sanitising, masks worn etc.”
There is full lockdown at The Nest, the organisation’s Alzheimer’s and dementia frail-care unit.
“All family members who have any contact with the elders are thoroughly screened prior to dropping off care parcels and necessities,” Ms Ritter said.
Twenty-seven nursing and carer staff had volunteered to go into full lockdown with patients, she said.
The nursing college and home-based carer college have been closed and converted into sleeping quarters for essential staff staying on premises.
The organisation was battling to cater for full-time live-in staff, at the sub-acute and The Nest units, Ms Ritter said.
“Financial contributions will assist us to continue to pay salaries to those staff members on duty as well as those at home on half pay, many of whom are from lower income demographic without any additional means of income.”
Pinelands residents had collected money for basic toiletries and Oude Molen Village residents had donated fresh produce from their gardens, she said.
The Robin Trust welcomes any financial support and needs gloves, hand sanitisers, gowns, mattresses, blankets and bedding, fresh produce and non-perishable foods.
Email marketing@robintrust.com or call or text Ms Ritter at 074 134 2296, if you want to help.