Residents, young and old, came together at Village Walk Retirement Estate in Brentwood Park on October 10 for its inaugural Spring Walk, which raised funds to improve the outdoor facilities for frail care residents.

Organised by Vivalon, the village’s healthcare service provider, the event saw participants dressed in colourful costumes, including witches and scarecrows, take part in the Wizard of Walk fun walk around the property.

Frail care residents also joined the festivities, with some walking with canes while caregivers pushed the wheelchair-bound around the course.

Healthcare manager Anel du Plessis said the event aimed to bring families together, promote social interaction and give back to the community.

“Our slogan is ‘every moment matters’, and that is what we go out to achieve – creating memorable moments for families.”

She added that involving young people was equally important, as it created opportunities for intergenerational learning and challenged perceptions about ageing.

“We tend to forget about the elderly. Functions like these, information sharing and spreading awareness about dementia and age-related illnesses contribute to greater understanding of the needs of the elderly.”

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Vivalon COO Adèle Eloff said the event demonstrated that growing old or becoming frail did not mean life had come to an end.

“It’s a privilege for us to host an event like this and involve all the Village residents because many people believe frail care is a hospital and people are sick. We look after people who need help, but most of them are still able to perform daily chores with some assistance,” she said.

“When the need came up for frail care to have new furniture on the patio, we stepped up. Summer is here and we would like to see the residents sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.”

Trustee and director Priscilla le Roux, who also oversees the frail care portfolio, thanked the organisers and residents for showing love for the residents.

“I’m very pleased to see what has been done here. The organisers have been out and about getting things together. The service providers that take care of frail care are all out and it’s amazing to see people coming together like this.”

One of the young people in attendance, Caylen Vermeulen, emphasised the importance of supporting older people.

“The elderly are often sidelined. I think it’s very important to come out and support such an important cause and show love to the elderly community,” she said.
Resident Sandra Naidoo was one of the first to finish the walk.

“It was a lovely walk. I’m still strong and fit because I eat Indian curry,” she said.

The proceeds will go towards purchasing new patio furniture for frail care residents, allowing them to enjoy outdoor lunches, dinners and tea parties during summer.
Pleased with the turnout, Du Plessis said the Spring Walk will become an annual event.

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