Ron
Smith Care Centre is the first organisation in Gauteng – and the second in Africa
– to become a member of Eden Alternative South Africa registry. This means that
the Rand Aid Association care centre in Lyndhurst has joined over 350
international long-term care communities committed to improving the quality of
life and care for the people they serve.
Founded
in the USA in 1991 by Dr William Thomas, a Harvard-educated physician and Board
Certified Geriatrician, the Eden Alternative is a small not-for-profit
organisation already making a big difference across the world. The philosophy
is based on the core belief that aging should be a continued stage of
development and growth, rather than a period of decline.
The
core concept of the Eden Alternative is strikingly simple. It is about teaching
us to see places where elders live as habitats for human beings rather than
facilities for the frail and elderly. This approach supports the creation of
communities which eliminate the plagues of loneliness, helplessness and
boredom.
Rayne Stroebel, the Eden Alternative Regional Co-ordinator: South Africa (centre), presents an official Eden plaque to Rae Brown, Rand Aid CEO (right), and Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand Aid GM: Services and Advance Division.
A milestone worth celebrating
On
November 24, 2016, gaily-decorated tables were set up inside a marquee in the
grounds of Ron Smith Care Centre and residents, staff members, volunteers and members
of the Rand Aid board and village committees gathered to witness Rayne
Stroebel, the Eden Alternative Regional Co-ordinator: South Africa, present an
official Eden plaque to Rae Brown, Rand Aid CEO, and Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand
Aid GM: Services and Advance Division.
The
care centre began its Eden Alternative journey in 2012, with a presentation by
Rayne to the Rand Aid board, and since then, has made a number of physical and
operational changes to meet Eden Alternative assessment criteria.
“Ladies and gentlemen, whoever said that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks, was wrong,” said Zabeth at the celebration. “Here we are, after 26 years, and the Ron Smith Care Centre has been transformed.
“In
1990, when this care centre was built, everyone still thought that residential
care for elders should resemble hospitals, both in structure and services.”
She
explained that then, excellent nursing care, good housekeeping, nutritious food
and efficient administration were considered sufficient when it came to the care
of older persons.
“But so much more is needed,” she added. “Through our Eden Alternative journey, we realised that our mission is not simply to nurse patients. Our starting point should be to provide a real HOME for each elder who chooses to live with us. A home where each person feels valued, has the opportunity to grow, to develop new interests, practice old and new hobbies, socialise with family and friends, contribute to the community, and have meaningful relationships with staff and other elders.
“In
short, we must ensure that each elder is enabled to live life to the fullest as
part of a loving, caring and supportive family. And in surroundings that
resemble home as much as possible.”
Chairman
of the Rand Aid Board, John Robinson explained how Rand Aid has changed over
the years and committed to working towards the roll-out of Eden principles at all
Rand Aid properties.
Board
member Neil Garden congratulated management and staff on their achievement, saying
they go about their work with great enthusiasm and compassion.
“What
an honour it is to be in the presence of excellence,” said Rayne. “I find it
fascinating that an organisation that supports our elders should be taking the
lead to show the world what service excellence is about.”
Jill
Jones spoke on behalf of her fellow residents, saying, “We are treated as
individuals with different needs and wants. Many of our sisters and carers
should be sprouting angel wings or haloes as they go about their daily tasks.”
For
information on the Eden Alternative South Africa, please visit their website at
www.edenalt.co.za. More can be learnt about
the Ron Smith Care Centre at www.randaid.co.za
Address at the Eden Alternative Milestone One
Celebration in November 2016 by Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand Aid GM: Services and
Advance Division
Ladies and Gentlemen, whoever said
that one cannot teach an old dog new tricks, was wrong.
Here we are, after 26 years, and the
Ron Smith Care Centre has been transformed. In 1990, when this care centre was
built, everyone still thought that residential care for elders should resemble
hospitals, both in structure and services. This explains our long passages and
previously very institutional bathrooms. As far as services goes, excellent
nursing care, good housekeeping, nutritious food and efficient administration are
important in hospital care. These services are also essential in residential care
for elders, but here they have to be so much more. All services have to be
infused with the spirit and values of the Eden Alternative.
Through our Eden Alternative
journey we realised that our mission is not simply to nurse patients. Our
starting point should be to provide a real HOME for each elder who chooses to
live with us. A home where each person feels valued, has the opportunity to
grow, to develop new interests, practice old and new hobbies, socialise with
family and friends, contribute to the community, and have meaningful
relationships with staff and other elders. In short, we must ensure that each
elder is enabled to live life to the fullest as part of a loving, caring and
supportive family. And in surroundings that resemble home as much as possible.
Rayne [Stroebel, Eden Alternative
Regional Co-ordinator: South Africa], we thank you and the Eden team for being
so supportive during the past four years. You have given freely of your
expertise and experience. We are celebrating a huge milestone today. At the
same time we realise this is not the destination. It is just the beginning. A
culture change from an institutional environment to an Edenised community is an
ongoing journey of growth and development.
We will value your continued guidance as we travel along this road.
We would also like to thank Rae
Brown, the CEO of Rand Aid, and the Boards of Rand Aid and the RAWDT for their
belief in the Eden values. As a result of which funds were made available for
the building project to upgrade the bathrooms and passages. The new facilities
promote the dignity of our elders and are so much more conducive to good care
practices.
Ladies and gentlemen, our Eden
journey has yielded beautiful fruits in the form of positive feedback from
elders, families, staff and volunteers. We look forward, as one care team, to
continue creating a better life for all. The Ron Smith Care Centre will never
again be just another old age home. We have committed to a person-centred
community which is safe and secure, where each individual is known and has the
opportunity to live a life worth living.
Address at the Eden Alternative Milestone One
Celebration in November 2016 by Jill Jones, a resident of the Ron Smith Care
Centre:
Good morning honoured guests, ladies and
gentlemen. What a great occasion this is. As residents we are so fortunate to
be living here and experiencing the benefits of the Eden Alternative solution
to make life for elders consequential and enjoyable.
One thing we have all experienced is that as
we arrive, everyone is so friendly. Whether well known or stranger, there are friendly
‘Hellos’, accompanied by a smile from staff, carers and residents.
The caring environment is experienced from
the beginning.
It is so important for the residents to have
something significant to occupy their time. In this, the OT department is
pivotal in providing such varied creative occupations to stimulate people and
foster friendship links. A lady who sits next to me at lunch is a day
visitor three times a week. She is alone at home and at first she was reluctant
to come here when her daughter suggested it. Now she can’t wait for her weekly
visits. She confided to me that she had never picked up a paintbrush in her life,
but at the age of late 70s has discovered a new absorbing talent of fabric
painting, opening a new window of interest. She enjoys the other activities and
meeting new friends. It has been a very positive experience.
In-house residents feel the same where a
previously untried skill has become absorbing and creative.
The home-like atmosphere here in the frail
care centre is also very comforting to the residents. It is wonderful to be
able to arrange our rooms with furniture and articles from home so we are
surrounded by familiar things.
Important pictures on the walls and family
photos make a world of difference to our lives.
The caring attitude of the Sisters in charge
and the carers who are with us daily means a great deal. We are treated as
individuals with different needs and wants, with a great deal of patience. Many
of our sisters and carers should be sprouting angel wings or haloes as they go
about their daily tasks and we can only be very grateful for them and say
‘Thank you’.
The older, or challenged, residents are
treated with the same care and consideration, depending on their needs, with
great tolerance and understanding.
Speaking of the older residents reminds me of
the story of the great grandfather of 104 years old celebrating his birthday.
One of his young family members asked him if he thought he would reach 105.
“Of course I will,” he replied. “Statistics
show that very few people die between 104 and 105.”
Getting older often means that we need more
gadgets to help us. Gadgets such as walking sticks, crutches, wheelchairs,
glasses, hearing aids and false teeth.
A grandmother confided to me the other day
that when her young grandson was visiting her he watched with absolute
fascination as she took out her false teeth brushed them and then popped them
back into her mouth. “Cool, Granny,” he said. “Now take off your arm.”
On a more serious note, the freedom we are
given as individuals under the Eden Alternative is awesome.
Some of us decide to go to bed at 6.30pm,
others at 10.30pm. Some prefer to get up at 5.30am others at 9am. It’s not a
problem.
We are free during the day to do our own
thing or go up to OT. There we are able to choose to join the organised
activity or to do something else like puzzles or paint or watch a video or TV.
I have been free to establish my own pot
garden on the patio in front of my room. This gives me enormous pleasure daily.
I also fabric paint my own projects, dress make for myself, create greeting
cards or do beading, just as I wish. When I fill pots with soil and plant out
seedlings I get the feel of earth on my fingers and generally get covered in
mud. It’s very fulfilling to be in touch with nature and the earth.
At first when I arrived I missed our two
daughters who live in England and Canada, very much. I also missed our two
cats. A few weeks later, after I mentioned this to one of the staff members in
the office, Helen [Petrie, Complex Manager] came round the following day to ask
‘Would you like a kitten?’ Of course I jumped at the chance and soon Annie Cat
came to live with me. She has turned out to be a very social cat, quite at home
in the unit and visits up and down the passage. She frequently comes into the
lounge and watches TV with us. So she gives pleasure not only to me but to
others as well, and enjoys all the petting.
The yearly particular days and occasions are
always made unique for us by the staff. Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s and
Father’s days, Mandela Day, Women’s Day, Christmas Day
are all special. A card, chocolate or whatever appears at our places at table,
and a Christmas tree and decorations are all erected. It is lovely, and so like
home.
In closing, on behalf of all the residents, I
would like to thank from the bottom of our hearts all the staff and management
for adopting the Eden Alternative so enthusiastically and working so hard to
make it a reality. They have, and do, go out of their way to make the Ron Smith
Care Centre a wonderful place in which to live. We are constantly thought about
and cared for, our concerns are addressed, and I don’t think we could ever ask
for more.
Thank you very, very much.
Letter of thanks from husband of a resident:
28 November 2016 10:14 AM
Dear Helen,
I am the husband of Dawn Hazzard who has been a
patient in Riverlodge 3 for the past 3 years.
I feel the need to congratulate you and your team
on the recent acceptance of your organisation into the international Eden
Alternative. I am aware that this is a
commendable achievement in the nature of your profession and it is also of
great reassurance to family members who have committed their loved ones to your
care, since the Eden Alternative aims to meet our needs as well as the needs of
our loved ones. I am also aware that
this is not a once-off commitment but that it will call for continuous work to
maintain the standards set by the Alternative.
It is also admirable that both the Eden Alternative
and Rand Aid are non-profit organisations.
I say this because during the decade when I was caring for Dawn at home
I visited many places of care for dementia patients. Most of these enterprises were
profit-motivated, seeking to benefit from the rising incidence of dementia in
our population. I have come to believe
that demetia care is essentially vocational and I sense that the professionals
in Rand Aid and in the Eden Alternative are vocational people rather than
profit/reward seekers.
Our home is in Centurion. Guided by the help and
advice of Lorraine Schirlinger of Alzheimer's SA, I failed to find any place in
the general Tshwane area which met the standards which I was seeking for Dawn
and therefore I felt bound to extend my search into greater Johannesburg where
eventually I found the Ron Smith Care Centre.
The Centre's acceptance into the Eden Alternative now tends to reinforce
the wisdom of my selection and also justifies the thousands of kilometers of
commuting entailed in visiting Dawn.
Well done to you all and thank you.
Kind regards,
Bob Hazzard
