Department of Social Development visits Ann Harding Home
The home is currently undergoing the development of 21 free-standing cluster style units that will give those who require lesser assistive care the independence they seek.
Deputy Minister of Social Development Hendrietta Ipeleng Bogopane-Zulu and other representatives of the Department of Social Development visited the residents of the Ann Harding Cheshire Home on 4 September as part of their oversight of care homes during the Covid-19 crisis.
Bogopane-Zulu said, “The Cheshire Home group is a very old and well-known organisation for the care of disabled persons and I know very well how they work as I have worked with them closely over the years before joining parliament.
“Our department remains responsible for the care of persons with disabilities and ensure that they are cared for in homes in the NPOs that we partner with.”
The visit forms part of the department’s ongoing drive to encourage greater independence in assistive living for disabled persons and to see how the homes have been coping and adhering to Covid-19 precautions.
“Working with the Department of Human Settlements, we will be looking at ways that disabled persons can live more independently while still getting the care they require. The quality of respite care here is remarkable.
“I am highly encouraged at the levels of independence people at the Ann Harding Cheshire Home get to experience and I am excited to see new developments in independent assistive living that they are growing here.”
The home is currently undergoing the development of 21 free-standing cluster style units that will give those who require lesser assistive care the independence they seek.
She added that the Covid-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for families who care for disabled persons.
“For safety measures, many care homes had to shut their doors to visitors. Many people in need of care and constant stimulation were stuck at home, and these factors were incredibly difficult for all. As a department, we have to thank all who care for those in need for staying so incredibly strong during this time.”
National coordinator of the Cheshire Homes Bronwyn Ward said that due to the vulnerability of the residents in care homes, visits from government officials are welcomed.
“We were very happy to hear that the Department of Social Development was visiting us as we are very proud of the way that we adhered to Covid-19 safety protocols. This was not only at this home but at all of our Cheshire Homes across the country,” said Ward.
She added that the group has a strong relationship with the government at a provincial level, who provide regular visits to the Cheshire Homes in various regions.
Ward continued, “We have been very fortunate that we have had no cases of Covid-19 at the Ann Harding Cheshire Home and immediately put forward quarantine measures even before the pandemic started.
Measures included the stopping of visitation by family members, the closure of the charity shop to visitors and extreme levels of sanitation at all times.
“We are very happy that families can visit their loved ones again. Even with the relaxation of lockdown measures, family visits are still strictly limited, and no one is allowed to move to any other area but the visitation room that we have set up,” concluded Ward.
