Department launches health drive for the elderly

The elderly residents of Zandspruit were wrapped in TLC during the Department of Social Development’s healthcare drive on February 25. The event was hosted at Emthonjeni community centre to raise awareness around abuse of the elderly, donate blankets and do free health checks for blood pressure, diabetes and prostate cancer.

Ward 114 councillor, Tebogo Mangena said the event was long overdue after it had to be postponed twice. “I hope information from today will encourage the elderly residents to form and organise their own entity so that they can benefit from the services provided by the Department of Social Development in the City. We hope these will become a regular occurrence where you address their challenges and how you can work towards resolving them. We appreciate the role that the elderly play in our communities and we need them. We need to take care of them and ensure they are healthy and protected.”

Daisy Modisakeng from the Department of Social Development in the City of Johannesburg said the purpose of the event was to formally introduce themselves and the service they offer to the community, since Zandspruit was part of the City of Johannesburg. “Today’s theme is part of our elder-abuse awareness programme we are launching across Johannesburg. This is one of the programmes we render, and we teach older people about their rights and the services being provided to them.”

Bertha Molelekoa from the Department of Health encouraged the elderly in attendance to take part in the health screenings being provided, and to learn about elderly abuse as it could also be something that affects their health. “Some people still think that Covid is not real but it is. It is important that you get vaccinated, and encourage your family members to do so,” she began. “Besides Covid, there are still diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis etc. You still need to be cognisant of those. Go to the clinic and get your medication. Medicine on its own is not effective if you are not eating well and getting some exercise.”

Officials from the department also handed over blankets to the old people. Boitumelo Mothobi said, “I feel really happy and grateful today. It has been a great morning. I am happy that we haven’t been neglected and we can all be here to work together.”