Rand Aid residents aged between 95 and 100 celebrate birthdays
“Individuals must revel in not having to spend most of their waking hours at work."
Rand Aid celebrated 11 residents between the ages of 95 and 100 years old.
The residents from various Rand Aid facilities all live independently in their own homes.
The 11 residents were honoured guests at Inyoni Creek’s monthly birthday bash on November 2, where they celebrated these residents’ ‘determined spirits’.
Speaking at the celebration, Zabeth Zühlsdorff general manager of services and advance division of Rand Aid Association, said with more candles on birthday cakes, it is more likely for a person to develop age-related health challenges.
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“This does not mean that people should not continue to live life to the fullest.
“Instead, individuals must revel in not having to spend most of their waking hours at work.
“They must embrace the activities they dreamt of when their time was not their own, as best as their health allows,” she said.
“Rand Aid is committed to creating environments that promote active and healthy ageing,” says Zabeth’s colleague Ayanda Matthews, general manager of compliance and social division.
“We offer a lock-up-and-go lifestyle that promotes travel.
“Our villages and care centres offer carefully curated services, socials, outings, and activities to promote interaction for mental, emotional and physical well-being,” said Ayanda.
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“We embrace the World Health Organisation’s focus on healthy ageing, which is all about ‘enabling older people to remain a resource to their families, communities and economies’,” says Zabeth.
Ayanda said while some may need help from carers, most of these inspiring individuals continue to live independent and meaningful lives.
Meet the golden ‘oldies’
Isobel Kohll (101)
Isobel has called Elphin Lodge home for 21 years.
Turning 101 on November 13, she attributes her well-being to having diverse interests and ‘doing what I enjoy, such as painting and art’.
Isobel loves attending the Elphin Lodge Art and Craft Group gatherings and plays a mean game of Scrabble.
Joyce Lockhart (100)
A resident of Elphin Lodge for 32 years, Joyce’s values include tolerance, kindness and consideration, traits that have contributed considerably to her well-being.
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She remains active in the village church and does the odd chores when needed.
In her younger years, Joyce was a full-time mom who sewed, knitted, and ferried her children around.
She served on various school and community committees, which continued when she moved to Elphin Lodge when the village was still establishing itself.
Billie Sack (99)
A resident of Inyoni Creek for 14 years, Billie walks daily and tries to complete a crossword puzzle every day and do a bit of diamond dot crafting.
As a bridge player for over 80 years and a bridge teacher until the advent of Covid-19, she still plays once a week.
“Only lately, I have started to feel like I am almost 100. I’m lucky, I guess. It must be good genes. I had an aunt who lived to 100.”
Billie attributes her longevity to having an active mind.
Hylda Molly Skutelsky (99)
Twenty-one years ago, at the age of 78, Hylda moved into the newly opened Thornhill Manor.
Hylda, when she was in her 50s retrained as a therapist and counsellor.
She spent 21 years as a Hospice counsellor, and at 90 was still taking calls from ex-clients.
Her passions are bridge, music, esoterica, yoga, reading, meditation and counselling.
Hylda is currently wheelchair-bound.
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She attributes her well-being to helping others, being kind, and having family ties.
Hugh Cunningham (97)
An Inyoni Creek resident since 2008, Hugh says he enjoys a daily walk, reading non-fiction and thrillers, and playing bridge and Scrabble.
He attributes his well-being to being positive and optimistic about most things and remaining active and says he is blessed to have no joint pain.
His advice for healthy ageing is, “When bad things happen, they will pass. Carrying on as though you are younger.”
Masha Hackel (97)
An Inyoni Creek resident of nine years, Masha enjoys reading but says that because of arthritis, her knitting days are behind her.
She loves television quiz programmes that test her general knowledge and enjoys cooking and baking.
“When I get up in the morning, I thank the Lord for another day, and I pray for strength so that I can do what I need to do,” she said when asked about what she attributes to her well-being.
“I was born into a struggle; I had to look after myself from a young age.”
Masha’s family came to South Africa from Poland in 1934.
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Veronica Louisa Katherine Benecke (96)
For 23 years, Veronica has happily lived in Thornhill Manor.
Her hobbies include reading and online gambling via her phone.
She said family is vitally important, and that her loved ones inspire her.
Mike Britany (95)
“Moving to Inyoni Creek Retirement Village in 2011 was the best move I ever made,” said Mike.
He loves reading and gardening.
“I mess around in my garden and propagate African violets,” he said.
Previously known for his striking orchids, Mike says he no longer focuses on these beauties because they are ‘hard work’.
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He also does chair exercises and finds them excellent for maintaining his mobility.
Mike believes in eating in moderation and the power of friendship.
Sybil Jassinowsky (95)
One of Sybil’s biggest blessings is that her family ‘live up the road’.
A resident of Inyoni Creek for 14 years, Sybil says she battles to keep up with some activities she used to love because she has ‘started having trouble with my eyes’.
She has a close bond with her loved ones and enjoys regular visits from her friends.
Her tips for healthy ageing are controlling your temper, remaining active for as long as possible, and keeping up your appearance.
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She said she married at 20 and had five children, which kept her young.
Geraldine Lonsdale (95)
The avid cook, knitter and reader moved to Tarentaal village in 2015 and says she has hard work to thank for her longevity.
Elvira Neves Jorge De Caires (95)
A Tarentaal resident for nearly nine years, Elvira can often be found with a crochet needle or gardening tools in her hands.
She also enjoys watching TV.
Hard work and eating healthy are her tips for healthy ageing.
Inyoni Creek resident Hackel said at the event that the organisers had ‘outdone themselves’. “I thoroughly enjoyed the birthday tea.”
