Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre- a haven of hope for the elderly
The centre has successfully provided loving care and services to older persons for 40 years, made possible through the kind generosity of the generous-hearted public to whom, the management is eternally grateful.
This year, the Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre celebrate 40 years of providing an invaluable service to the elderly within the community and surrounding areas.
The organisation aims to constantly mobilise resources and develop services to enhance the quality of life, physically, emotionally and socially for those who require it most.
Therefore, it always seeks to engage stakeholders in this meaningful purpose to help those who cannot do it for themselves.
The service centre comprises a daycare facility, meals on wheels service, community work, home-based care, professional social work services, inter-generational programmes, volunteer development and aged support groups.
These are some ways in which the centre has undoubtedly provided a meaningful and fulfilling life to about 1, 200 beloved senior citizens.
Manager at the institution, Fathima Khan-Harripershad, said, “We are always reaching out to the wider community to make services and resources more accessible to develop aged potential and make life meaningful and productive.”
The service centre has extended its services to the following areas including Verulam and surrounding: Ottawa, Amoatana, Ndwedwe, parts of Khuthala, Osindisweni, Ogungini, Ekwazini, Ekukanyeni, Mzinyathi, Mjoji, Imbali, Redcliffe, Redcliffe Quarry, Cottonlands, Hazelmere, Mhlabatini, Oakford, New Glasgow, Waterloo, and Trenance Park.
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The frail care centre is a 24-hour unit established in 1997 and provides nursing care and comfort to 70 frail aged patients.
“In 2003, the centre established the A Ramsunder Geriatric Clinic, with a focus on preventative and promotive health. It operates like an outpatient clinic so that the aged need not move from pillar to post to receive medical and nursing attention. The aim is to provide a one-stop service. This department attends to about 600 patients a month,” added Harripershad.
The centre has successfully provided loving care and services to older persons for 40 years, made possible through the kind generosity of the generous-hearted public to whom, the management is eternally grateful.
“Our demand for services is rapidly growing each year and we are always striving to meet the need,” continued Harripershad.
Government has, over the past years, stressed the need for welfare to become self-reliant and less reliant on state funding. However, this immediately indicates a limitation as the client population in serviced areas of operation is predominantly from the lower socio-economic group.
The uncertainty of the political atmosphere further aggravates the situation so much that in an effort to meet the ever-increasing needs of the community, it becomes essential that the centre continues to expand on services or else they become complacent or remain static.
“Please rest assured that we are always mindful of the fact that we need to account for public funds and regular feedback is guaranteed. Major donors and sponsors are indeed acknowledged for their magnanimous contributions,” ended Harripershad.
The Verulam Day and Frail Care Centre can be contacted on 032 533-7538.
