Many elderly are left, forgotten by relatives, in old age homes and spend their days in solitude and sadness. Care Buddies is the result of one woman’s determination to change the desolation and neglect faced by many elderly persons in the country.
Ms. Yvonne McHeath of White River first visited an old age home in 2003 and was overwhelmed by the feeling of despondency and loneliness. “I was astonished to hear that many of our precious old folk get taken to the old age homes, never to see their families again,” she explains.
After her visit, she asked three friends to accompany her on weekly visits to the old age homes in White River, hoping that their presence would give the elderly something to look forward to. Their trio soon turned into a group of 15, then they were 35 and thus Care Buddies was born.
The organisation’s main objective is to provide love and companionship to the old folk. The Buddies visit old age homes and if the elderly are able, take them on outings and do activities with them like taking them to town to shop or have tea and cake. The weekly sing-along is also a highlight for many as the songs help them recall fond memories of their younger days.
The White River Buddies each adopt an elderly person and the one-on-one interaction helps them become like family. “I like this way of Buddying as it forms a relationship of confidence and trust and the granny can share her feelings of insecurity and fears,” McHeath says. She continues by saying that the Care Buddy can then walk the last chapter of that elderly person’s life with them.
With the success of the White River Care Buddies, they were soon joined by Barberton and then Nelspruit volunteers. Each of the branches has their own unique way of performing their task but the main objective remains the same.
White River is currently touching the lives of 230 people and has managed to maintain a membership of seventy volunteers for the past nine years. McHeath believes that this fact proves that the Buddies enjoy what they are doing. Besides their weekly visits, the White River Buddies also host two parties a year, for 200 people each: a themed tea party in May and a Christmas lunch in November. Previous theme parties include the Mad Hatters party, where the Buddies made a hat for each guest and a bridal party where all the women had to bring their wedding photos. At the Christmas lunch the guest are treated to a warm meal and three Father Christmases hand out gifts.
On Christmas Eve the Buddies go to sing for the elderly and take them gifts. McHeath says it’s the saddest time for her as it makes her realize how many families don’t want to share Christmas with their elderly relatives.
McHeath says that if she had more volunteers, she would like to do more activities and more outings and arrange more individual attention for the elderly.
Her plans for 2014 include a concert where the elderly are the stars, the two customary parties, as well as taking the elderly to the movies and the botanical gardens In order to raise funds for these activities, the Buddies sell crafts and second hand books once a month and host dinner parties. They are very grateful for a local businessman who gives them a monthly donation. McHeath says the most rewarding part of her work is to see the eyes of the elderly light up when she enters the room. “When you give them a goodbye hug, they hold on for a little longer. When you leave the home there is a wonderful feeling in your heart, because you know you are doing something so very worthwhile.”
Enquiries: Yvonne McHeath on 076-903-0660
