South Africa

Caring for our seniors

Kim van Wyk

FCC supported the Lily Haven Old Age Home for Mandela Day, with the aim of ensuring that they make an impact on the lives of the senior citizens who call this their home.

This Bonteheuwel-based home is situated in the heart of a community that is over ridden with crime. Nurses risk their lives daily simply by going to work and caring for the 124 senior citizens who are frail, suffer from dementia and Alzheimers. Lily strives to provide all its residents with the highest standard of care and nursing within a homely environment, to promote quality of life, the maintenance of independence, the preservation of dignity and, by becoming members of a senior centre, encourages participation of older persons in all aspects of community life.

FCC’s staff can relate to these qualities as they are closely aligned to “Healthcare. We Care”. The team set out to construct a recreational area for the frail care patients as the dining room was previously used for this purpose. In addition, the residents enjoyed being entertained with line dancing and a karaoke session, a delicious lunch, gift bags and most importantly engaging conversation which is always a treat to lonely folk. Just as the FCC team made a great impact on these residents, they also walked away having learnt a great deal from this older generation.

Nelson Mandela said, “What counts in life is not the fact that we have lived. It is the difference we made in the lives of others.” Every year FCC staff take great pride in the preparations for the Mandela Day campaign and this year it was no different. The team concluded the day by unveiling the sunroom they had built for the senior members ensuring that they will be comfortable for years to come.

As the day progressed it was clear to see that FCC achieved their aim of giving back to the community and when it was time to leave, the Lily residents were very reluctant to see their visitors bidding them farewell.