Elphin Lodge welcomes Sr Catherine into the family

With the retirement of Sr Helena Bezuidenhout, Rand Aid Elphin Lodge retirement village welcomed Catherine Dube as the village’s new cottage sister.

Having worked for Helping Hands Live-in-Care in the UK, the 49-year-old Edenvale resident has vast experience working in aged care.

Upon returning to South Africa, she was the charge sister at Nazareth House in Yeoville.

“I used to drive past the Elphin Lodge complex but had never seen beyond its walls. When I first entered the property, I was awestruck,” said Catherine.

“The gardens are refreshing and the resident so happy. The village is incredibly organised and very professional.

“My core functions are to meet the primary medical needs of the residents, including health awareness, monitoring vital signs and providing medical advice.”

Catherine joined the Elphin Lodge family on September 1 and said she specialised in the care of elders when in the UK, where she worked for around four years.

She holds a diploma in nursing from United Bulawayo Hospitals and has completed introductory courses in dementia and caring for elders.

ALSO READ:

Covid-19 takes its toll on SANBS blood stock

“The elderly stole my heart as I found them to be welcoming, appreciative and a fountain of knowledge,” said Catherine.

“My mum is 93 and is also my inspiration. Whenever I am with elders, I feel like I am at home with my parents and will always go the extra mile for them.”

When she is not at work, Catherine enjoys socialising and listening to music.

She has four children, all of whom live in Germany. Her eldest son is 27, her twin daughters are 23 and she has a 10-year-old who lives with her mom.

“We wish Catherine a long and happy working life in the village,” said Elphin Lodge manager Helen Petrie.