RSCC jets off to Germany

 

German food, culture and dancing were an absolute hit at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre’s latest armchair travel series.

RSCC residents thoroughly enjoyed their armchair travel adventure on 17 and 24 March, when the care centre went all out to ‘transport’ them to the beautiful, scenic country that’s renowned for Albert Einstein, Boris Becker, Beethoven, BMW, eisbein and bratwurst.

Lively oompah band music, usually played during Germany’s Oktoberfest, greeted residents in the recreation centre, which was decorated in black, yellow and red, the colours of the German flag.

They enjoyed their kinderpunsch welcome drink – a traditional non-alcoholic German-mulled hot drink made with hibiscus tea, fruit juices, honey, cinnamon, cloves and star anise, and garnished with an orange slice – and got to taste various German sausages, including bratwurst, knockwurst and chicken.

Residents also enjoyed watching a video about the most scenic places to visit in Bavaria, learnt how to speak a few German words, and took part in a quiz which tested their knowledge of people, places and things that Germany is renowned for, including food, drinks, cars, sports stars, science, movies and politics.

“Everyone had great fun and were proud when they were able to recall the answer to certain questions,” says Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational programmes. “Oh man, I know this one,” was heard often!

Residents also took part in a lucky draw. The resident who drew the card with the picture of a woman wearing the traditional dirndl outfit and the resident who drew the card with the picture of a man wearing lederhosen each won a prize.

The event was rounded off with tea, coffee and delicious apfelstrudel with ice cream, followed by dancing the polka and waltz, much to residents’ delight.

“Many of our residents have visited Germany, so they really enjoyed reminiscing about this beautiful and culturally rich country,” says Debbie.

RSCC resident Tilly Bryant agrees. “Thank you so much for a lovely morning. This event brought back happy memories for me, especially about my time in Munich,” she said.

RSCC newsletter: April 2023

 

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Housekeeping teams dedicated to RSCC

 

Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) is rewarding its housekeeping employees for going above and beyond the call of duty!

“RSCC housekeeper Portia Ngobeni initiated the idea of implementing a Housekeeping Team of the Month award, to honour our housekeeping employees for their hard work and dedication,” says Rand Aid’s senior nursing manager Avril Maltman.

“Congratulations to Nomusa Shabangu and Amanda Ndlovu from River Lodge 1, who were awarded in February, for their commitment and enthusiasm in practising The Eden Alternative philosophy, which revolutionises the way in which Elders are cared for,” she adds.

The Eden Alternative, founded in America by a Harvard-educated physician, teaches us to see places where Elders live as habitats for human beings rather than facilities for the frail and elderly. It sees ageing as a continued stage of development and growth and not as a period of decline.

RSCC pioneered person-centred care by becoming the first organisation in Africa to achieve Milestone 2 on the Eden Alternative Registry, in April 2020.

“Nomusa and Amanda don’t only do a wonderful job with their housekeeping duties, they also reach out to and care for our residents, taking time to talk to them and making them feel at home. This helps to combat one of the biggest challenges of ageing, which is loneliness. Both employees are an integral part of RSCC’s care team,” says Avril.

RSCC housekeepers Nomusa Shabangu and Amanda Ndlovu
with Rand Aid’s senior nursing manager Avril Maltman.