Elderly Care

There is a limit as to how far a pension can stretch and with the rising costs of food, medical care, housing and fuel, most South Africans are struggling to make ends meet, let alone those on a pension. There are many benefits to being that bit older and pensioners should take full advantage of any discount on offer – and there are many, including … Sanparks, concessionary domestic television licence, Pick n Pay, Spar, SterKinekor, Nu Metro, Clicks, Torga Optical, SpecSavers, Hertz, Mango, Game, Dis-Chem, Tsogo Sun Hotels, Johannesburg Zoo, Maropeng, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden and Intercape.

When you plan to go out, even if it is just for a short walk, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Inviting someone along is always a good idea, as is not walking in quiet, isolated areas. If you are going to the shops, never let your handbag dangle from its straps; keep it tucked tightly under your arm.
If you are only taking along your purse or wallet, either carry it in the front pocket of your trousers or in an inside jacket pocket. While shopping, never leave your handbag or anything of value, like a cellphone, unattended or in the trolley.
Many retirement villages have scheduled shopping days for residents and take them to a centre in a combi. Unfortunately, criminals look out for vulnerable targets and sometimes target older people on these excursions.

It’s essential to plan how your money should be handled in the event of an illness or death. Good planning will help make sure you or your family are ready to meet any of the costs that might arise.
Consider the following:
Keeping all your financial documents in one place is a simple but effective first step: – Your spending – Sources of income – Debts – Savings, investments and property
This kind of information will make things much easier for anyone you later ask to help manage your affairs. Handing over control of your finances It makes sense to have plans in place in case you become too ill to manage your money. A friend, relative or professional adviser can be a great help. But if you become unable to make decisions about your finances, you can set up a legal arrangement to let them do so on your behalf. This arrangement is a power of attorney (POA).
There are two different kinds of POA, suitable for different circumstances:
The ordinary power of attorney – you use this to give someone a temporary right to handle your financial affairs; for example, if you’re in hospital for a while. You might need an attorney to set this up. Lasting power of attorney – you would use this to give a chosen individual the right to manage your affairs for you on an ongoing, indefinite basis.

Practising healthy habits throughout your life is ideal, but it’s never too late to reap the benefits of taking good care of yourself, even as you get older.
• Stay physically active with regular exercise.
• Stay socially active with friends and family and within your community.
• Follow a healthy, well-balanced diet – dump the junk food in favour of fibre-rich, low-fat, and low-cholesterol eating.
• Don’t neglect yourself: Regular check-ups with your doctor, dentist, and optometrist are even more important now.
• Take all medications as directed by your doctor.
• Limit alcohol consumption and cut out smoking.
• Get the sleep your body needs.
• Finally, taking care of your physical self is vital, but it’s important that you tend to your emotional health as well. Reap the rewards of your long life, and enjoy each and every day.

Here are some fun, low-impact, and non-traditional ways that South African over-60s can get in shape. Just don’t forget to get your doctor’s approval before you embark on a new physical activity or exercise regime.
Romp with the grandchildren – There is nothing more rewarding than spending time with your grandchildren and simultaneously reaping the benefits of physical activity.
Dancing classes – Dancing is a great way to improve your balance and to prevent falls.
Grab those golf clubs – A great way to build endurance, golf is the perfect game for competitive seniors who enjoy the outdoors.
Take up yoga – Low-impact exercise classes, such as yoga, reduce stress, lower depression, improve quality of life and help to improve strength, balance and coordination.
Mall walking – Walking in the fresh air is the best, but mall walking allows you to walk in all weathers and provides a safe environment in which to walk.
Bowling – Apart from doing wonders for your social calendar, bowling, a ‘whole body’ exercise, is an excellent endurance activity. It speeds up your metabolism and maintains bone density.

Choosing an old age home for your parents is one of the most important steps you will ever have to take.
1. Find out about the old age home as a business – The first thing to establish is how long the business has been running. Ask the manager about the owners of the business, the qualifications of the matron etc. Find out if the owners have ever run a home before or whether they have other homes. Does the business own the premises or are they tenants (here today, gone tomorrow)?
2. Enquire about the staff – Good nursing has everything to do with the staff. If they are happy and well-trained, the residents experience good nursing care. Spend some time with the matron and sisters and see how they interact with the staff. How do they monitor the performance and progress of each staff member? How long have the staff members been with the old age home? Are the staff full-time or temporary/ volunteers?
3. Nursing care – Ask the matron to show you how they go about their day-

to-day care. Ask her how medicines are administered and recorded. Check whether the home belongs to an association that upholds high standards in the industry. This is always a good indication of how seriously they consider their work.

4. Staff to resident ratio – Check how many staff members are on duty during each shift. Then divide the number of residents by the number of nursing staff per shift to get a ratio.
5. Meals and general hygiene – Meals are extremely important in the lives of residents and play a big part in their well-being. Ask to take a look at the kitchen. Look for cleanliness and order as well as food freshness. Check the menus and make sure they offer healthy meals.
6. Entertainment – It’s been proved that patients suffering from senile dementia benefit from an environment in which they are made to feel welcome and kept busy. Also, check whether the old age home offers occupational therapy programmes.