In a bid to help young people understand the importance of supporting and taking care of the elderly, the Nation Builders Prophetic Apostolic Movement (NBPAM), a service centre for the elderly in Humansdorp run in conjunction with the Kouga Municipality, will host a breakfast for their elderly members, children, and grandchildren on November 4, at the Kate van der Merwe Crèche in Humansdorp.
Founder of NBPAM, pastor Ashwell Goliath, said that over the last few years they have noticed that the relationship between children, their parents, and grandparents has been ruined by crime, violence, drugs, alcohol abuse, and gangsterism in the community.
He further said that many of the elderly in the area were living in fear and they are sadly the forgotten group in society.
Goliath said that they have seen many forms of negligence and abuse towards the elderly, where their health and nutrition were not taken care of.
He said that the elderly often miss their clinic appointments, and do not use their medication as prescribed.
For this reason, Goliath said that they are now working together with their local clinic to assist the elderly to be healthier and have a better quality of life.
To help young people in the community understand the importance of taking care of the elderly, NBPAM will host a breakfast event where they plan to cater for at least 50 people, with assistance from Kouga Municipality.
He said that the purpose of the event is to make young people aware of their responsibility towards their elderly loved ones.
“It is important for young people to make sure that their parents and grandparents use their medication on time, attend their clinic appointments, and ensure that they have a healthy meal before taking their medication,” said Goliath.
As part of the event, he said that they also plan to inform the young people about their centre for elderly people, and encourage more elderly people in the community to join their organisation.
At the event, Marietjie Boonzaaier, a qualified nurse from the Association for Dementia and Alzheimer’s of South Africa NPC (ADASA), will speak about Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Goliath indicated Boonzaaier will share her experience of taking care of her parents who have Alzheimer’s and dementia, and her experience as a professional nurse.
In addition, she will offer advice and guidance and hand out educational books to those who have family members living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Tickets for the breakfast cost R80 per person, and the event will start at 10:00.
Goliath said that they still have tickets available and are hoping to receive support from the community.
Through the organisation he said that they hope to continue helping the elderly and many more people in their community.
“We trust God to help us render a great service to our community and the many people that are in need,” said Goliath.
For more information about the event, contact Nicolette (chairperson) at 078 746 6486, Glenise (secretary) at 083 368 8908, June (treasurer) at 074 230 6505, Ashwell (project manager) at 072 208 4239 or Marietjie (guest speaker) at 084 409 3119.
For additional information about the Association for Dementia and Alzheimer’s of South Africa NPC (ADASA) visit their website at www.adada@org.za or contact their helpline on 0860 102 681.
