The Elder’s Voice comes to Montclair
The KZN Care Association made contact to offer the organisation the 60-room building to house its oldies.
THE Elder’s Voice has found a new home in Montclair.
Originally founded in Amanzimtoti, the elderly shared living facility recently collaborated with KZN Care Association (Natal Settlers), which own the Thornhill House on Kenyon Howden Road, where seniors of the Elder’s Voice will take residence from 1 May.
The KZN Care Association made contact to offer the organisation the 60-room building to house its oldies. Elder’s Voice founder, Joanne Herbst started the organisation in February 2017 when she realised an urgent need to assist the elderly. After opening the first house in September that year, the demand had been so great that the 15th house in Toti was opened in two weeks.
The organisation has done a remarkable job in not only providing seniors with a home with all basic necessities but has also encouraged its residents to be part of sustainability projects. “We encourage our elders to plant their own vegetable gardens as well as make wares which we sell at a flea market and therefore earn an income which supplements a bit of their SASSA pension. It’s all about giving them a dignified life and maintaining their independence,” said Joanne.
In response to receiving the new building, Joanne shared that this would serve as a more sustainable living arrangement, “It is a lovely collaboration and I am honoured to have been approached by the association. It is not a free building as we will be paying for lights, water and rent. How it comes in at a fraction of what we used to pay for the 15 shared living homes that we have and makes more financial sense. We are however, going to retain three of the homes in Amanzimtoti,” said Joanne. At the moment each house has a mother or mothers who take care of the cooking, doctor’s appointments and the everyday running of the homes. At the semi-frail houses, two caregiver nurses are on duty during the day, with one at night, to take care of the oldies’ medical needs. “We are not a shelter as all elderly pay a percentage of their SASSA pension towards the rent and upkeep of the shared living facility.”
Armed with paint brushes and cleaning supplies, the team took on a major clean-up on Saturday, 14 March to prepare the new home for the oldies. They urge their new community to support them as they embark in this big move. “The house should house about 100 people. We are in great need of single beds in good condition, big pots and curtains. We provide our oldies with five balanced meals a day so any food donations such as long life milk, fresh fruits and vegetables, once we open will be appreciated as well,” said Joanne.
If you can donate any goods or offer your time, call Joanne on 079-028-6379 or email theeldersvoice@gmail.com. Donate money to: The Elder’s Voice Pty Ltd, FNB, account number: 62816961743, branch code: 220127, reference your name and cellphone number. Send proof of payment to admin@eldersvoicekzn.co.za.
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