The harsh winter condi�ons in the Northern Cape

had an adverse effect on older persons, especially

on Lya Moos, who was bedridden for three weeks

and a�erwards struggled to recover fully. Age-in-

Ac�on Northern Cape heard of her plight and

carers, with the help of the Department of Social

Development, were contacted to assist. The social

worker took her to the local clinic to receive medi-

cal a%en�on. A newly founded group of benefac-

tors, donated blankets.

The electricity box in the house had burnt out,

leaving Ms Moos without any power.

The Hantam municipality contributed to the clean-

ing and repairs of her house while the mayor do-

nated a bed.

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The plight of Lya Moos

AGE-IN-ACTION

JulyJulyJulyJuly----Aug 2014Aug 2014Aug 2014Aug 2014

eNewsletter

Account Age-in-Action

Branch Adderley Street,

Cape Town

Bank ABSA

Branch code 632005

Account no. 01363190011

NPO 002-842

VAT 482 012 8322

PBO 930014308

PO BOX 2335

CAPE TOWN

8000

Phone: 021 426 4249

Fax: 021 426 4290

E-mail: info@age-in-

action.co.za

www.age-in-action.co.za

Week of Older Persons 29 Sept - 05 Oct

South Africans will once again have the opportunity to honour our older persons during this

special week. International Day for Older Persons will be celebrated on 1 October 2014 and in

South Africa, we celebrate Grandparents Day on the last Sunday of the Week of Older Persons,

i.e. 5 October.

We call on all South Africans to make this a memorable week for older persons. Although they

are not always regarded as a priority by many corporate social responsibility programmes, we

urge individuals to reach out to older persons, be it at churches; communities;

local old age homes; pension pay points; service centres or neighbourhoods.

Anyone wishing to honour some seniors, can order our gold ribbon (pic right)

at R25 each excluding postage (minimum order of 10).

Age-in-Action Eastern Cape had an outreach at the Payne Location Umtata where they

met with 70 older persons. Stakeholders were the Department of Social Development and the

South African Police Service. The outreach was met with appreciation by the chief of the loca-

tion as the needs of the elderly in the community were great. The closing down of Empilweni

Old Age Home contributed immensely to vulnerability of older persons. In the interim, the

home has been reopened.

The SAPS representative and a well-known figure in the community, col. Fatyela, committed to

organizing community meetings to discuss older person’s issues and create more awareness on

their needs.

At the Mkwezo Village they met with 40 older persons. The information and motivation shared

filled the villagers with new hope and Age-in-Action received an invitation to return.

They continued their outreach to Bulembu township where they met with 60 older persons

of which 30 were men—something not often experienced, of Lenge Service Centre.

The club members meet five days a week in a three roomed rondawel and, despite the absence

of a subsidy, the club is still functioning.

They have a plot for food gardening and a mini netball field where older persons enjoy recrea-

tional activities.

The outreach was appreciated as meaningful support services for older persons in the commu-

nity were lacking.

Age-in-Action Free State partnered with students from Camelot International to embark on

an intergenerational program at the Welcare and Aliquando private residential care facilities.

The purpose was to bridge the gap between young and old; prevent loneliness and to create of a

sense of self-worth.

Fourteen first year students interacted with older persons at Welcare and ten students at Ali-

quando. They read to the older persons and listened to their life experiences and achievements.

Older persons were treated with mini manicures and shoulder massages.

For the students this was a life changing experience which taught them to appreciate life and to

live their lives to the fullest. The older persons appreciated the interaction and pampering.

The students expressed the desire to visit the facilities more often. They expressed an interest to

participate in the ‘adopt a granny program’.

Community Outreach

Page 2

eNewsletter

Intergenerational Program

Generosity of students

Age-in-Action Free State were fortunate when they received a donation of a fridge from six

third year medical students from the University of the Free State As part of their community

based education, they were placed with Batho Bohle Luncheon club for three months.

They helped the older persons with gardening and provided them with seeds, promoted a

healthy lifestyle through exercise and empowered them with information.

Age-in-Action Western Cape and National Office staff joined forces on Mandela Day in

their attempt to make a difference in the lives of older persons in the communities of Atlantis,

Pella and Mamre.

The aim was to hand over food parcels made up of the basic necessities to needy older per-

sons. They met at Huis van Sonstraal and from there dispersed in two directions - one group

concentrating on Atlantis while the other group went to Pella and Mamre.

The poverty and unemployment in these townships were evident. Much appreciation was

shown on receipt of the parcels especially in the light of older persons not being able to sur-

vive on their meager government pension. Older persons were expressive in showing their

appreciation.

In Bonteheuwel a wheelchair and crutch was donated to Mrs Evelyn Cloete and Mr Frank Clo-

ete respectively.

Age-in-Action Rustenburg forged a partnership with Sun City International, Royal Bafokeng

Tribal Authority, SASSA and South African TV personalities— Andile Ncube, David Kekanam,

Lerato Kganyago, Akhumzi Jezilem, Sinazo Yolwa and Musa Mthombo— in making Mandela Day

special in the community.

Two deserving learners from Charora High School received school uniforms and bursaries.

Older persons who have reached the age of 100 received donations. The house of Mr. July

December received a facelift.

Age-in-Action Limpopo brought Madiba magic to the ordinary man on the street when they

distributed yoghurt, juice and Madiba quotes to people on the streets - much to their delight

and surprise!

The Adelaide Tambo Community Hall was the centre where Age-in-Action Mpumalanga

met with other stakeholders (Departments of Health and Defence and SASSA) and 105 guests

from the communities and service centres Sizabaswele, Thandanani, Ikageng and Rosebuds.

They made older persons aware of the services available to them and how to access to it.

Older persons enjoyed a healthy breakfast donated by Age-in-Action and a cake from Pick ’n

Pay. The audience was entertained by various senior group choirs.

Macmillan Kondowe, a volunteer social worker at Age-in-Action Limpopo, addressed the

management and 22 student nurses of Martha Hofmeyer Old Age Home in Limpopo on the

rights of older persons, focusing on the Older Person’s Act and especially the Victim Empow-

erment program, with emphasis on the quality of care which the Act expects older persons to

receive.

After the address, in a question and answer session, management and the nurses received

clarity on responsibility distribution and which acts and omissions can lead to prosecution.

Age-in-Action was able to highlight terms in the Act with regard to carers and define roles

and duties that can be used as guidelines for the future.

Mandela Day

Page 3

July-Aug 2014

Addressing the rights of older persons!

Age-in-Ac�on Eastern Cape set out to do a community profile of Jacksonville. Due to

its size, the town was divided into sec�ons with 4 social workers, 4 social auxiliary

workers and two interns going to task.

One hundred and seventeen surveys were completed.

Upcoming events

29 Sept – 5 Oct Week of Older Persons 1 October International Day of Older Persons

5 October Grandparents Day® 12 October International Arthritis Day

14 November World Diabetes Day 1 December World AIDS Day

Profiling the community

Continuing Education for African Mentors Training

Age-in-Action Eastern Cape were allocated three social auxiliary workers who

will be doing their practical work at the organization for one year. The mentors of

these workers received training which took place at the Port Elizabeth office. The

issue of training manuals to assist the mentors with the mentoring process as well as

the training received, will help mentors understand their roles and the expectations

placed on the students.

Elder Abuse Awareness

A staff member at Age-in-Action Eastern Cape initiated an elder abuse awareness

session at Kuyga Primary School where 88 students were addressed. This informative

session increased elder abuse awareness amongst the youth as some of them were

not aware of all the signs of elder abuse. The session triggered such an awareness that

calls were received from the community regarding social matters.

Pretty things for Little Things Info Session

In prepara�on for the Pre%y Things for Li%le Things compe��on, Age-in-Ac�on Free

State held an informa�on session at Serenita’s Private Residen�al Care Facility in

Bloemfontein, which was a%ended by 23 residents, to encourage par�cipa�on in the

compe��on.

The different categories in which ar�cles will be judged, its distribu�on and who the

beneficiaries will be, were discussed. A few ar�cles entered from the previous year was

displayed.

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