Glenesk elderly enjoy Mandela Day

THE Environmental Health Department Region F in collaboration with other departments and non-profit organisations visited the Glenesk Old Age Home to spoil the elderly on Mandela Day, July 18.

The day was well spent and thanks to the Pest Control Department, City Parks, Pikitup, SAPS, JMPD, The Southern Early Childhood Development Forum, Spar Kenilworth, Consolve Civils, Health Programmes Division Region F, Health Promotion Department, Varsity College, Alcohol and Drugs Concerns and Zoom Juice who were so generous to help and have fun with the elderly in the home.

It was a fun-filled event with approximately 150 stakeholders showing up to ensure the aged and the children of Glenesk were made to feel important.

“After visiting several places of care, a collective decision was made by all stakeholders that Glenesk Old Age Home and community would best benefit from our planned initiatives. The home was visited prior to the event and evaluated on what were the needs and help required. Other places of care were also looked at to distribute extra hampers collected during the event,” said operations manager Andrew Kruger.

The department found that the home had overgrown trees, accumulation of waste on the premises, the residents of the old age home had to travel by bus or taxi to get medical treatment, no pest control measures were in place, most people from the community are unemployed, after paying rent, transport for medical care and electricity the residents are left with less money from their grant to spend on themselves or food, and that the community has high rates of drug incidents and crimes taking place.

Activities for the day included cleaning up of the old age home, pruning of trees, refuse removal, pest control, tips on safety, the dangers of drug abuse, health promotion and healthy living, medical testing and advice, grocery, blankets and hamper distribution, entertainment was provided by the Southern Early Childhood Development Forum and the children of Glenesk, followed by a scrumptious braai provided by Spar Kenilworth and Consolve Civils to end the day.

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