William Wordsworth once said “The wiser mind mourns less for what age takes away than what it leaves behind.”
In a world where so much emphasis is placed on youth & material wealth, it is so refreshing & heartwarming to see a company like GrandWest investing in & caring about our aged!
I was truly sad to have (at the last minute) missed the incredible moment when Grand Parade Investment, GrandWest & Miss SA arrived at the Kensington Home for the Aged last week, with love, appreciation, time & care packs for the residents of this home. If like me, you missed the event, you can fortunately read all about what GrandWest is doing for Kensington – its truly a Motivating & Inspiring Monday post!
GrandWest takes Kensington Home for the Aged under its wing
Improving comfort and safety for the residents of the Kensington Home for the Aged were the objectives of the extensive refurbishment project that has just been completed by GrandWest’s Social Economic Development Department in collaboration with BBBEE suppliers of GrandWest.
The project, started in January 2016, included installing dry walling in the Home’s Hassen Adams Frail Care Centre, electrical refurbishments, installing additional showers, grab rails and shower sheets, repainting the centre and the installation of blinds. The 10 rooms in the frail care centre were refreshed with new décor and also received new cupboards, side bed lamps and linen. The reception area was revamped with a new couch and reception desk, while outside, new paving will be laid, along with a carport for the ambulance and automated gates commencing July 2016. Since its inception, a total of R450 000 has been donated towards Kensington Home’s building refurbishments.
Prior to the refurbishment project, the GrandWest Social Economic Development Department made it possible for five of the home’s staff to undergo training with St John’s to ensure that they are adequately skilled for their demanding roles as caregivers.
The home provides shelter, medical support and a nurturing, supportive environment for about 110 aged and infirm people from previously disadvantaged communities. Many of the residents do not have any family and have limited means to support themselves. The home relies heavily on the donations and sponsorships it receives from the public to continue operating as the Pension and Social Welfare Subsidy it receives is not sufficient.
“The elderly are sadly often amongst the most neglected and forgotten members of our society and much can be said about a community by the way in which it treats its elderly citizens. Kensington Home for the Aged provides invaluable care and support to the elderly, many of whom have nowhere else to turn,” says Heidi Edson, Group Social Economic Development Manager for Sun International.
“The Home’s commitment to ensuring a safe, nurturing and healthy environment for its residents is heartening. We recognise the challenges they face in keeping the facility up and running. As such, we are pleased to be in a position to assist the home in addressing some of these challenges. This project, which involved one of our enterprise development partners, Decordent Living, demonstrated what can be achieved when caring people work together,” says Edson.
In 2015, GrandWest’s Social Economic Development Department visited the Home and identified various needs. A fire detection system was installed to the value of R255 000 and staff were given training on using fire extinguishers. During the winter of 2015, GrandWest teamed up with The Table Bay to donate warm accessories such as gloves and beanies as well as blankets to help alleviate some of the burden on the Home in keeping its residents warm and comfortable. The items were handed to the residents by Miss South Africa 2015, Liesl Laurie, much to the residents’ delight.
Later in the year, SHAWCO Health (the University of Cape Town’s Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organisation) visited the home. The visit, facilitated by GrandWest which is a primary sponsor of SHAWCO Health, saw 19 students from the Physiotherapy, Audiology and Speech-Language faculties engage with the home’ residents in a range of activities focused on uplifting their spirits.
SHAWCO Health plans to host further group therapy sessions at the home in 2016 as well as offer training to the nurses and caregivers to assist them in managing the residents’ diagnoses more effectively.
Until next time, we all too often forget about these pillars of our society, so lets hope this little reminder has you inspired to Be The Change too!
Nadia xo xo
Press release issued on behalf of GrandWest: Mercedes Westbrook, The Mail Room PR
Photo Credit: Nickay-Alfonso Stoffels
Nadia Singh 