15 April 2020
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www.thevillagenews.co.za
Pulling out the stops to protect elders Writer Elaine Davie
L
et’s be honest now. As the pandemic sped at an alarming rate from China and the rest of Asia, to Europe and the US, claiming thousands of lives, how many of us involuntarily sneaked an anxious thought: Thank goodness I don’t fall into an ‘at risk’ category – the old and the infirm? And then just as quickly, shoved it guiltily aside! Luckily, Hermanus residents and those whose business it is to care for the elderly have risen to the occasion. From those who manage retirement villages and especially Frail Care Centres, to the carers who look after the elderly in their own homes and the NGOs and individuals who have thrown their weight behind the municipality’s disaster management services, they have pulled out all the stops to protect the elderly and the infirm. In many ways, it’s a token of gratitude to those who have contributed so much to our own lives and on the other hand, recognition of the important role they still have to play in our families and communities. And it hasn’t all been easy. Many of those carers who spend every day with old people, have had to take on the role of counsellor, confidant and friend, not only for their patients but also for the family members who no longer have access to them. Head Nurse at Onrus Manor Frail Care, Sister Annemarie Adshade gives an example: “Amongst our Alzheimer’s residents is an elderly gentleman who is visited every single day by his wife. As she left on the last day before total lockdown, she said to me: ‘What if he has forgotten who I am after this is all over?’ It nearly broke my heart. Until then, that thought had never even crossed my mind. Our staff have just been amazing though, despite the huge emotional stress it places on them. Perhaps what they have been through will only really hit them afterwards.” It is often very confusing for dementia residents to make sense of what is happening outside, causing them great anxiety. “We serve meals in our dining room for those who want to eat there,” says Sister Adshade, “but each of them has to sit at a separate table and they find this so distressing that they prefer to eat in their
own rooms. Then there are those who are still sound of mind: their primary form of social engagement is their weekly game of bridge, and visits from friends and family members. In their absence, the restrictions have a serious impact on their state of mind.” Johan Botha, General Manager of Kidbrooke Place agrees that their greatest challenge is to shield residents from loneliness and heightened feelings of hopelessness. He was very pleased when the Care Centre suggested to residents of the Village that they make masks for the carers at the centre. “Several ladies got together and have made nearly 200 beautiful, colourful, happy masks in their own homes. Once the carers had all been given masks, they just carried on and made some for the independent carers and also for all the security personnel. They are still making them and are now sending them to the homes of staff members. It has been a wonderful group effort. It gives them a sense of being able to contribute to the needs of others and has been very therapeutic.” Dewcare is probably the largest supplier of independent carers in the Hermanus area and General Manager, Dylan Lok emphasises that the pandemic has required them to institute strict protocols to protect both clients and carers. Because many of their clients are very frail, they fall into the category of those at greatest risk of infection. “Our 36 to 40 carers have been given intensive Coronavirus training and in many cases, depending on the specific needs of clients, they have actually moved into their homes for the duration of the lockdown,” he elaborates. “Those who come in on a daily basis, bring their uniforms with them in a plastic bag and change into them when they arrive, taking them away to be washed when they leave. “The carers have also been taught to be particularly vigilant in identifying potential COVID-19 symptoms. Many of the clients have existing respiratory problems and it is important to be aware of any unusual additional symptoms. In some cases, what the client under lockdown and deprived of physical contact with friends and family needs more than anything else is just the companionship of a carer. However, at the same time, she is able to keep an eye on personal hygiene and health-related issues and call for professional intervention, if necessary.”
PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer
exercises and tell each other stories (sometimes several times over) till the cows came home. Now all that has been taken away, leaving a huge gap in their lives. “Things are bad in the townships,” says Christine May, Proportional Councillor for Ward 4. “So many families have no income – the builders, the fishermen are earning nothing. Some workers have been retrenched; others have been paid three weeks’ leave, but what happens now that lockdown has been extended by another two weeks? And as usual, it’s the children, the elderly and the sickly who are the worst affected. Some grannies, many of them members of those clubs for the elderly are still caring for maybe three grandchildren from their meagre pensions. Think what would happen if they were infected. “But we’re on it,” adds Christine. “It’s unbelievable how many businesses, especially the supermarkets, individuals, churches, NGOs have come to the party big time. Disaster Management and the Food Bank have their hands full trying to see that everyone’s needs are met, but
at the same time, avoiding duplication. I am making sure, for example, that the 25 members of Lombardi receive enough fresh fruit and veggies, together with cooked meals, when these are available, to keep them healthy. And Soraya Pieterse of the Love, Hope, Faith and Happiness soup kitchen is still preparing cooked meals every day for the 140 or so children she was feeding before, but is also supplying meals to some sickly and elderly residents in her area.” But what of the companionship that was so important to the members of the two social centres? “Well you’ve got to understand,” says Christine, “lockdown is a bit different in the townships. People are moving around, many of the old people still live with their families. I’m sure they miss their friends at the centre, but not many of them are what you would call lonely; they are still part of the community.” And perhaps that is one of the most important principles the pandemic has driven home: the importance of connectedness, and empathy. When the chips are down, it’s one for all and all for one.
Academic Bursaries Available Grades 8 to 12
Companionship, together with a healthy daily meal, is the glue which has bound the elderly members of the Lombardi Centre in Mount Pleasant and Siyazama Centre in Zwelihle together. They could knit, sew, chat, laugh, do
Closing date for applications: 30 October 2020 Apply now with a copy of your latest academic report. Bursaries are limited, don’t miss out. Become part of the Curro family and enrol today! tinka.s@curro.co.za | 028 316 4911
