Farmyard animals visit RSCC

 

Many magical moments were experienced at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre on 20 October, when a gorgeous group of farm animals paid the centre a visit.

First to arrive at the Woodlands garden and recreational area was Stephanie, the pony. Then came a calf, goat and baby goat, a lamb, sheep and seven bunnies, the latter of which needed to be counted on departure because so many of the care centre’s residents wanted to take them home!

“The residents and staff enjoyed the opportunity to interact and bond with these gentle creatures in the morning sunshine. They found the baby animals especially adorable and cuddly and also had fun feeding the animals carrots and lettuce and giving the babies their milk bottles,” says Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational programmes.

“It was wonderful to see the elderly residents gazing at, holding, stroking and snuggling with the animals, and being in the moment with them. It has been well documented that interacting with animals can be beneficial to overall health and well-being.  The physical and visual contact can be calming, soothing and relaxing and can reduce stress and anxiety. The residents were delighted with this special morning,” she adds.

Anna Veltman.

Argentina Smith.

Arthur Nortje.

Basha Videlefsky.

Beth Roberts.

Denise Anstey.

Elaine Cohen.

Erzebet Tamasi and Rhona Burnham.

Gail Spinks.

Gisela Meinck.

Gladys Rosenberg.

Grace Verster.

James Wight.

Joan Gelman.

Johanna Jennings.

Josephine Poultney.

Joy Smith.

Joyce Royal.

Lorraine Lowden.

Louise Newman.

Lynette Wentzel.

Malcolm Shalekoff.

Megan Weeks.

Neville Branthwaite.

Olive Jew and Ellen Quinn.

Sarah Goldberg.

Sarah Richards.

Stella Thomas.

Ron Smith celebrates Heritage Day

 

Ron Smith Care Centre started its Heritage Day celebrations the week before, under the theme ‘ubuntu’.

The care centre was decorated with various pictures, flags and other items that represented the residents’ different cultures and traditions.

The actual day was celebrated the day before the public holiday, on 23 September.

Each wing decorated their own table and staff dressed up in traditional dress or colourful casual clothes. There were prizes for the best decorated table, resident with the best traditional outfit and staff member with the best traditional outfit.

Everyone enjoyed a fun-filled day, and a delicious traditional meal of samp and beans, followed by koeksisters.

River Lodge 2:  Staff member Charlotte Tema with Sara Richards, who won the prize for the best-dressed resident.

River Lodge 2: Front: Gisela Mienk. Middle left: Ria vd Westhuizen. Middle right: Gail Spinks, Back left: RSCC enrolled nursing assistant Alice Molepo. Back right: RSCC careworker Dineo Chukuswane. Far back: Bela Nadori.

Cedar Park's Gordon and Joy Smith with RSCC careworker Penelope Mthembu.

RSCC careworker Mary Azwindini, Karne Mitchell and sister Florah Tshonisa.

Olive Jew from Lakeside.