THERE are many elderly people who cannot stay at home alone while their loved ones are at work.
This is why non-profit organisation, the No More Shame Women’s Movement (N.O.M.S.A), situated in Booysen Park, is planning on opening an elderly care centre in Bloemendal, in April this year.
N.O.M.S.A, founded in 2010, is an organisation that works with women who find themselves in difficult circumstances. The movement offers help and support to women who have been victims of abuse, gender-based violence, going through a divorce or just struggling in general, when it comes to their personal lives.
They also focus on orphaned, vulnerable children and are involved in several other community outreach programmes.
Founder of N.O.M.S.A, Ashlene Bruiners, said that there is definitely a need for an elderly care centre in Bloemendal. “There are elderly people who fear for their lives, as a result of criminal elements in all areas, and sometimes their health also doesn’t allow them to stay at home alone. We already have three ladies who really need this, which is why we decided to open this centre,” Bruiners said.
She explained that the centre would be both an old-age home and frail care centre for women, but that they would first be focusing on frail care admissions. Then they would move on to those who need accommodation because they cannot be looked after at home.
“Prospective residents need to be women older than the age of 60. The organisation is aimed at older citizens who are left alone at home during the day when their family members go to work. Residents can also be older people who need daily care.
“They should basically just be in need of our services and willing to share accommodation,” Bruiners emphasised. “It has always been in my heart to care for the elderly. It is part of my vision to help women and when I saw that there’s an urgent need, I decided that it is now or never.”
However, in order to open the care centre by April 3, as scheduled, the NPO is in need of assistance in the form of donations to give the elderly the best care possible, especially since the centre plans on providing everything from toiletries to bedding for its residents. “We are humbly requesting assistance from the community to help us open the centre.
“We will definitely need groceries, toiletries, a fridge, stove, microwave, curtains, single beds and bedding such as sheets, duvets and pillows,” Bruiners elaborated.
“These donations would really help us kick-start the project. To start something is not easy but, with help, it will definitely be easier for us, because a lot of the elderly will move in with nothing except the clothes on their backs.
“It would be such a great help and will enable us to fully take care of our elderly and make their lives easier.”
Anyone who would like to get hold of a form to apply for accommodation at the elderly care centre, can contact N.O.M.S.A’s offices on 084 723 4895 or 067 029 2017. An email can also be sent to: nomoreshame@webmail.co.za.
Monthly accommodation fees have not yet been established.
“We hope the fact that our elderly will be receiving care and attention 24 hours, seven days a week, will uplift our community,” Bruiners said.
