SHARING a bit of warmth went a long way towards putting smiles on faces at two homes for the elderly recently.
“We visited Gelvan Park Frail Aged Home and Ekuphumleni Home for the Aged and donated food, clothing and blankets,” said Community Chest Eastern Cape PRO Colette Theron.
“Most of these old age homes have not yet received their subsidies for the last three months. They are faced with many challenges,” Theron said.
“One of our biggest challenges is that we are running low on food and most of them are on chronic medication, which means they need to have three meals a day,” said Megan January, the Centre Administrator of Gelvan Park Frail Aged Home.
“Another big challenge is the adult nappies, which we use four times per person per day.
“To maintain the dignity of the elderly, we need to eradicate the smell and promote health through prevention of bed sores; hence the use of more adult nappies per person per day.”
According to Theron, Community Chest, through its Winter Woolly Drive which is supported by SPAR EC, they felt they could assist in bringing a little bit of hope.
They appeal to the public to donate warm socks, which will be donated to both old age homes. The drive will continue until the end of August.
Drop-off points for donations will be at selected SPAR stores throughout the Eastern Cape.
Donations can be taken to their office at 126 2nd Avenue, Newton Park or contact them at 041 582 1592 to arrange for collection. For more info visit the Community Chest of the Eastern Cape Facebook page.
