Mama Mia, what a party!

Val Glanvill, Sister Gwen Coutinho and Aletha de Klerk.

The staff and residents at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre, particularly those on the Woodlands wing, were excited for weeks as they planned and prepared for an

Italian-themed Happy Hour for the entire care centre on November 15.

The dining room venue was gaily decorated in green, white and red (the colours of the Italian flag) and guests were invited to wear the same colours, which were very bright and colourful. Each table was decorated with a tin centrepiece which was filled with a paper flower fan with a cheerful, moustached Italian chef in its centre holding a big pizza, the Italian flag, red and green flowers and some raw spaghetti!

These unique creations were made by the residents and staff in the OT Activity Centre.  On the menu were home-made pizza, sausage rolls, themed cupcakes (also made by the residents and staff) and Sangria, light white wine or non-alcoholic punch.

The residents were divided into five teams: Teams Spaghetti, Macaroni, Ravioli, Cannelloni and Lasagne and participated in a memory and colouring-in challenge.

The quickest team to complete the challenge correctly won the prize. Team Lasagne took the honours! The best dressed female resident prize was awarded to Sylvia Dale from Woodlands; the best dressed male resident was Enzo Merolla from River Lodge 1 and the best dressed staff person was Hilda Mabaso – housekeeping supervisor.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the musical skit performed by some of the care centre staff. They acted out the lyrics to a piece of music entitled, “Home to Mama” which is an upbeat light-hearted song about a handsome young Italian man who travels the world, searching for a wife. Along the way, he encounters a Spanish girl (full of fire!), a French girl (ooh-la-la!), an English girl (pretty but shy) and Lorna from California (really wild!). There’s a problem, however, he simply can’t decide whom to marry – they are all beautiful. What should he do? He comes up with a brilliant solution. He will take them home to his Italian Mama and let her choose his bride.

The staff gave a lively, hilarious performance which had the audience laughing, singing, clapping and cheering. Mama Mia, what a happy, joyful time was had by all!

The colourful table decor.

The cast from the musical skit, “Home to Mama”.  Left to right: Iketeleng Kunyane, Pamela Martins, Hilda Mabaso, Lily Mathebula, Francina Mahlo and Joyce Mabowa.

Debbie Christen (manager recreational programmes) introducing the Spanish Girl (Lily Mathebula).

Staff and residents from Woodlands (aka Team Ravioli and the evening’s hosts) with the cast from the musical skit, “Home to Mama”.

What creative centrepieces!

The preparation was as much fun as the day itself!

The colourfully decorated venue.

Seen encouraging resident Ann Brokensha from Team Spaghetti, in the Memory and Colouring-in Challenge are: Noma Mavelu, Adolphina  Magwete and Iketeleng Kunyane.

Lindiwe Matsemela assists Patricia Graham with the challenge, whilst captain of Team Macaroni, Ria van der Westhuizen, looks on.

 Everyone applauds as Enzo Merolla takes the prize for the best dressed gentleman.

Hilda Mabaso wins the prize for best dressed staff member. 

Winning the prize for the best dressed lady is Patricia Dale.

Violet Moyo and Ronald Merton.

Olimpia D’ Ascenzo and James Taylor.

Letter of gratitude from family of former resident

27 October 2017

Dear Ron Smith Care Centre management and staff

RE: Gratitude for care of Margaret Cohen

This is just a note to express our sincere thanks to so many people at Elphin Lodge and Ron Smith Care Centre for their kindness and care of our mother, Margaret Cohen, in the weeks and days leading up to her passing.

Mom lived at Elphin Lodge for many years and as her health deteriorated, it was an enormous comfort to her – and to us – to know that even though she continued to live in her flat, help was just a call away.

After her last illness which resulted in her being in ICU for 35 days and in hospital for a further seven days, she was admitted to Ron Smith Care Centre’s River Lodge One.

We were blown away by the quality of the nursing care, the incredible compassion shown to her by every single person there – from the cleaning staff and nurse aides right through to the two amazing sisters – Sister Lianne and Sister Tilly.

Our father, Max Cohen, also spent his last days in River Lodge One some eight years ago. The contrast to what it was like then, and what it is like today, is incredible. Through your  Eden Alternative journey, the place has been transformed into a warm and homely environment. The pretty flowers in the bathrooms, the thoughtful messages and pictures on the walls contribute to this – but most of all it is the caring, friendly attitude of the staff, that makes such a difference. Mom was so appreciative of this loving care – and so were we.

We also truly appreciated the way Sister Lianne and Sister Tilly kept us constantly informed about her condition; the way they personally kept checking in on her, especially during her final days and hours; and for their compassion and caring for us, during her final hours and afterwards.

We’d also like to thank the admin team at Elphin – Phyllis Phillips, Auriel Wittert, the maintenance staff and so many more – for assisting us after mom’s passing with so many things: from the setting up of prayers in the clubhouse to assisting us with clearing her flat.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Kind regards,

Barbara Baetu, Marilyn de Villiers and Jenny Michaeli (from New Zealand)

Ghouls and witches come to tea

Elaine van Heerden and Sarah Richards with some of the spooky table decorations that were lovingly made by residents.

With the month of October being known as the Month of the Elders, residents from Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre were treated to a lovely tea with a Halloween theme on October 26.

In the week before the event, the residents were busy in the activity centre, making table decorations to create a fun, Halloween atmosphere. Pumpkin lanterns, flying bats and witch party hats were the order of the day.        

After a delicious tea of quiche, sausage rolls and cream scones, the tables were pushed back so that the residents could dance away the afternoon.

Heritage Month at RSCC

Celebrating our diverse heritages through dance

Heritage speaks of who you are, where you come from and where you are going.

September is a month when all of South Africa celebrates the country’s rich diversity in art, history, customs, traditions, language and food, and as we all know, we are a rhythmic country and there is no celebration in South Africa without music and dance!

Weeks before the Heritage Celebrations at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre, residents were excitedly making themselves head bands which were designed with their name and the country of their origin. Although the majority of residents have a South African background, there were representatives from Italy, Portugal, Germany, Holland, Lithuania, Latvia, Indonesia, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Israel, Namibia and Zambia, giving the whole day a universal feel. Colourful flags from all over the world were made in the OT Activity Centre and were used as centrepieces for the gaily decorated tables.

Then on Friday, September 22, the community at Ron Smith Care Centre gathered outdoors in their numbers to celebrate, through music and dance, the richness and diversity of cultures represented at the care centre. Seated in the lovely shade of gazebos and umbrellas, residents and visitors were treated to a cultural dance spectacle performed by various staff from housekeeping, nursing, kitchen and gardening services, who were all beautifully attired in their various national dress.

The dance programme took the audience around the world and included a  traditional Sepedi dance called Step, several Middle Eastern belly dances, the folk dance Tarentella from Italy, traditional cultural dances by the Shangaan, Tshonga, and Venda (Xibelani), Zulu and Xhosa groups, a Spanish Line dance (Ah Si) , and an Israeli folk dance called Nigun Atik. Then it was on to Austria where the staff scattered into the audience and danced with the seated residents to a beautiful Viennese waltz. The show ended with the whole care centre community being invited to join in the last dance to music by the well-known group Malaika.

The cultural dance show was followed by a traditional South African braai which included boerewors, chicken, salads, pap and gravy, and was nicely finished off with an Eskimo Pie, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s Manager: Recreational Programmes, commented: “Music and dance have a way of bringing people together through the sheer joy of music and movement. It truly is a universal language and tends to create a wonderful feeling of unity and harmony.” 

Many of the residents remarked that it was a joyous celebration and that they have a new awareness and appreciation for the diversity of cultures in South Africa. They were also interested to learn more about the cultural identities of their neighbours.

Little actors delight Ron Smith Care Centre residents

 There were ‘aahs’ of delight when a band of children aged between three and nine years put on a play for residents of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre on September 14.

The children from the Arrows Homeschool Group also recited some poetry. The play they performed was called, ‘In the Garden’, which is based on the classic Russian folk tale, ‘The Enormous Turnip’. It is a progressive story in which a grandfather plants a turnip which grows so large that he cannot pull it up himself. He asks the grandmother for help but they still can’t pull it up. More people and animals are successively recruited to help (a little girl, a little boy, a dog, a cat and, finally, a mouse). 

The humour and moral of the story is that only with the help of the mouse, (the smallest and weakest creature, could the giant turnip finally be pulled up. 

The sweet little actors and actresses gave a wonderful performance which was enjoyed very much by all at the care centre.

The cast of ‘The Enormous Turnip’, with residents from Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre.

From left to right: Jasmine Banks, Thomas Hicken, Nathan Very, Benjamin Banks, Ruth Hicken, Amber Banks and Aryc Holgate.

BELOW: How cute are these little ones?

Spa Days at Ron Smith Care Centre

Manicures, make up and massages were the order of the day at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre to celebrate Women’s Month.

To ensure that the 80 residents who had booked could be accommodated, two full days were devoted to these spa sessions in the OT Activity Centre on August 21 and 22. Dis-Chem Foundation very kindly donated nail polish in a variety of colours, scented hand creams and other nail care supplies.

The care workers on each of the six wings were asked to pair up with a resident and treat them to a morning of relaxation and pampering.

“It was wonderful to offer this opportunity for care workers and residents to interact and bond with each other in this special way. The therapeutic benefit of touch is well known, not to mention the fact that freshly polished nails and a bit of lipstick can really lift your spirits!” says Debbie Christen, Manager: Recreational Programmes.   

On the first Spa Day, some students from St Benedict’s College and Assumption Convent came to help with the day’s activities. Those residents who had the privilege of having their nails painted by them were absolutely delighted, especially when they received personal caring attention from the male students!

On the second Spa Day, care centre volunteers came to assist and were also on hand to pamper the care workers and other staff.

Everyone enjoyed the day and all were happy to give as well as receive a bit of TLC – something that is always appreciated.

  

Lisa Mtshali and Ursula Northern.

 Eleanor Motsepe and Charity Maburutse.

 Irene Droste and Lucy Kgafela.

 Dolly Luke, Salina Mtshali, Elizabeth Peterson and Lynette Saville.

 Volunteer Ethel Ramahuma and Betty Haughton.

Marie Diesel and St Benedict’s College student Brandon Janse van Vuuren.

St Benedict’s College student Rui Ferreira with Bernice Goldman.

 Ndifelani Mavhila and Winsome Green.

Corrie Wolhuter looking very relaxed as she is treated to a manicure from Lee-Ann Ramathibela.

Elaine van Heerden:  look at my lovely nails!

Volunteer Helen Dix and June Smith.

Julia Mali and Margaret Richardson.

Beulah Ganesh and Cecily Ryder.

Joyce Mabowa and Pamela Mintz.

Sonja Dikken.

Val Glanvill.

Susan Esbend and Hentie Benson.

A girls’ day in at Ron Smith Care Centre

What’s a tea in the care centre without a little dancing? Kaylee Antonopoulos, Hannah von Aulock, Cassidy McKinon and Claire Lourens dance up a storm at Ron Smith Care Centre.

Dancing, smiles and sweet treats were the order of the day when learners from Edenvale’s Holy Rosary School Catholic day school for girls spent time on August 17 with residents of Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre.

The girls arrived at the care centre bearing lots of delicious treats: home-made lemon meringue pie, chocolate chip biscuits, cupcakes, red velvet cake and muffins. They were joined by a few occupational therapy students from Wits University, who were on a three-week practicum at the care centre. 

After tea was served, it was time for dancing. The event brought smiles and joy to the residents.

 

Cynthia Dlangamandia and Alison Whittaker.

Claire Lourens, Cassidy McKinon, Hannah von Aulock and Kaylee Antonopoulos.

Jill Jones, Hannah von Aulock, Phillip Chandler, Kaylee Antonopoulos, Claire Lourens, Molly Matroos and Cassidy McKinon.

Mado Ndelela and Beulah Leor-Lever.

Lorraine Lowden, Christina van Rooyen and Etienne Geyser.

Occupational therapist student Savannah van der Mast has a chat with resident  Dolly Luke.