YONELA SINQU
The Beaconvale Frail Care Centre in Beacon Valley opened its revamped day and frail care wings.
A fresh coat of paint, neatly pressed linen and frilly curtains brought new life to these sections.
The day wing, which can accommodate up to 50 men and women, is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm, while the frail care unit accommodates three women and four men.
Beaconvale Frail Care Centre co-ordinator, Fawzia Cader, said the day unit was where elderly members of the community get to socialise with other elderly members on a daily basis.
“Here they are served breakfast, lunch and a snack before they head home.
“However, every family or elderly person has to see to their own transport as the centre does not offer that service.
“The unit for the terminally ill, is where the very ill people are kept. It is more quiet and we have qualified nurses to look after them,” she added.
Raymond Mitchell, the centre’s chief executive officer, said it’s sad to see so many people on their waiting list and yet they can only accommodate a handful of them.
“Elderly people need lots of love and care. It’s a pleasure to be able to open these two wings to them. We are proud of our nursing staff who work tirelessly to make this centre a comfortable home for the elderly here – only if we could do more. We have a lot of frail people in our community, and we have nursed some of them back to health.
“And we know we can do it again with this wing in place. Unfortunately, we can’t do this for everyone who comes to the centre, however, we know those who die here die in a dignified place.
“We look forward to many more years of looking after the elderly who need our help. But sadly we can’t do it on our own. We still need sponsors to keep our doors open for many more years,” said Mr Mitchell.
Before cutting the big red ribbon which was tied across the door of the 20-year-old structure, Ward 79 councillor, Solomon Philander, thanked the centre’s staff for their passion and dedication.
“I can imagine it’s not easy to manage a place like this one, but you all seem to be at ease.
“I would also like to applaud you all for managing to keep this place open during such trying economic times. It is sad that we had to adopt what apartheid left behind.
“Our communities are a reflection of what apartheid did to us and because of that, a number of elderly people are left on their own and most of them can’t afford to come to a facility like this one.
“I am trully greatful for the difference that this centre is making in the community,” said Mr Philander.