Care Buddies visit the elderly
It was a special day for several Mataffin Macadamia residents this morning after Care Buddies paid them a visit, delivering Christmas care packages to some of the residents.
The Care Buddy members met at the Mataffin Macadamia Lifestyle and Assisted Living Village in Mbombela with several packages of toiletries and some snacks for a number of people living in the village.
“We visit the people in the homes and spoil them,” said Care Buddies chairperson Meisie Barnard. “They love it and really appreciate it, and we love visiting them,” she said.
Barnard said they would have had a Christmas lunch for the residents, but due to the pandemic, they had to put the festive meal on hold.
However, the Care Buddies recently received a massive donation of toiletries from Unilever which they used to make up care packages for 263 elderly people.
ALSO READ: PCA goes international
“We also obtained an anonymous donation which we used to buy some snacks to put in with the care packages,” said Barnard.
“At the moment we have 50 adult Care Buddies and 3 mini-Care Buddies, aged five to nine, who visit the elderly.”
Barnard said the homes they visit include: SAVF Herfsakker Home; Phumalanga Frailcare; Mataffin Frailcare; Macadamia Orange Street; Oranjezicht and Laeveld Rus.
“During lockdown the homes were strictly isolated and no visitors were allowed, not even their children. It was very difficult for both the elderly and for the Care Buddies, because we are like family,” said Barnard.
ALSO READ: Run and cycle to fight GBV
“We listen, encourage, communicate, respect, admire, empathise, assist, care, build relationships and most of all love them (the elderly).
“We also play Bingo, give them foot massages and arrange entertainment. To experience the joy and companionship of these special people really just fills our hearts with pure gratitude for the opportunity and to be able to make a difference in their lives,” she said.
