The harsh winter condi�ons in the Northern Cape
had an adverse effect on older persons, especially
on Lya Moos, who was bedridden for three weeks
and a�erwards struggled to recover fully. Age-in-
Ac�on Northern Cape heard of her plight and
carers, with the help of the Department of Social
Development, were contacted to assist. The social
worker took her to the local clinic to receive medi-
cal a%en�on. A newly founded group of benefac-
tors, donated blankets.
The electricity box in the house had burnt out,
leaving Ms Moos without any power.
The Hantam municipality contributed to the clean-
ing and repairs of her house while the mayor do-
nated a bed.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO
SUPPORT OUR SERVICES?
The plight of Lya Moos
AGE-IN-ACTION
JulyJulyJulyJuly----Aug 2014Aug 2014Aug 2014Aug 2014
eNewsletter
Account Age-in-Action
Branch Adderley Street,
Cape Town
Bank ABSA
Branch code 632005
Account no. 01363190011
NPO 002-842
VAT 482 012 8322
PBO 930014308
PO BOX 2335
CAPE TOWN
8000
Phone: 021 426 4249
Fax: 021 426 4290
E-mail: info@age-in-
action.co.za
www.age-in-action.co.za
Week of Older Persons 29 Sept - 05 Oct
South Africans will once again have the opportunity to honour our older persons during this
special week. International Day for Older Persons will be celebrated on 1 October 2014 and in
South Africa, we celebrate Grandparents Day on the last Sunday of the Week of Older Persons,
i.e. 5 October.
We call on all South Africans to make this a memorable week for older persons. Although they
are not always regarded as a priority by many corporate social responsibility programmes, we
urge individuals to reach out to older persons, be it at churches; communities;
local old age homes; pension pay points; service centres or neighbourhoods.
Anyone wishing to honour some seniors, can order our gold ribbon (pic right)
at R25 each excluding postage (minimum order of 10).
Age-in-Action Eastern Cape had an outreach at the Payne Location Umtata where they
met with 70 older persons. Stakeholders were the Department of Social Development and the
South African Police Service. The outreach was met with appreciation by the chief of the loca-
tion as the needs of the elderly in the community were great. The closing down of Empilweni
Old Age Home contributed immensely to vulnerability of older persons. In the interim, the
home has been reopened.
The SAPS representative and a well-known figure in the community, col. Fatyela, committed to
organizing community meetings to discuss older person’s issues and create more awareness on
their needs.
At the Mkwezo Village they met with 40 older persons. The information and motivation shared
filled the villagers with new hope and Age-in-Action received an invitation to return.
They continued their outreach to Bulembu township where they met with 60 older persons
of which 30 were men—something not often experienced, of Lenge Service Centre.
The club members meet five days a week in a three roomed rondawel and, despite the absence
of a subsidy, the club is still functioning.
They have a plot for food gardening and a mini netball field where older persons enjoy recrea-
tional activities.
The outreach was appreciated as meaningful support services for older persons in the commu-
nity were lacking.
Age-in-Action Free State partnered with students from Camelot International to embark on
an intergenerational program at the Welcare and Aliquando private residential care facilities.
The purpose was to bridge the gap between young and old; prevent loneliness and to create of a
sense of self-worth.
Fourteen first year students interacted with older persons at Welcare and ten students at Ali-
quando. They read to the older persons and listened to their life experiences and achievements.
Older persons were treated with mini manicures and shoulder massages.
For the students this was a life changing experience which taught them to appreciate life and to
live their lives to the fullest. The older persons appreciated the interaction and pampering.
The students expressed the desire to visit the facilities more often. They expressed an interest to
participate in the ‘adopt a granny program’.
Community Outreach
Page 2
eNewsletter
Intergenerational Program
Generosity of students
Age-in-Action Free State were fortunate when they received a donation of a fridge from six
third year medical students from the University of the Free State As part of their community
based education, they were placed with Batho Bohle Luncheon club for three months.
They helped the older persons with gardening and provided them with seeds, promoted a
healthy lifestyle through exercise and empowered them with information.
Age-in-Action Western Cape and National Office staff joined forces on Mandela Day in
their attempt to make a difference in the lives of older persons in the communities of Atlantis,
Pella and Mamre.
The aim was to hand over food parcels made up of the basic necessities to needy older per-
sons. They met at Huis van Sonstraal and from there dispersed in two directions - one group
concentrating on Atlantis while the other group went to Pella and Mamre.
The poverty and unemployment in these townships were evident. Much appreciation was
shown on receipt of the parcels especially in the light of older persons not being able to sur-
vive on their meager government pension. Older persons were expressive in showing their
appreciation.
In Bonteheuwel a wheelchair and crutch was donated to Mrs Evelyn Cloete and Mr Frank Clo-
ete respectively.
Age-in-Action Rustenburg forged a partnership with Sun City International, Royal Bafokeng
Tribal Authority, SASSA and South African TV personalities— Andile Ncube, David Kekanam,
Lerato Kganyago, Akhumzi Jezilem, Sinazo Yolwa and Musa Mthombo— in making Mandela Day
special in the community.
Two deserving learners from Charora High School received school uniforms and bursaries.
Older persons who have reached the age of 100 received donations. The house of Mr. July
December received a facelift.
Age-in-Action Limpopo brought Madiba magic to the ordinary man on the street when they
distributed yoghurt, juice and Madiba quotes to people on the streets - much to their delight
and surprise!
The Adelaide Tambo Community Hall was the centre where Age-in-Action Mpumalanga
met with other stakeholders (Departments of Health and Defence and SASSA) and 105 guests
from the communities and service centres Sizabaswele, Thandanani, Ikageng and Rosebuds.
They made older persons aware of the services available to them and how to access to it.
Older persons enjoyed a healthy breakfast donated by Age-in-Action and a cake from Pick ’n
Pay. The audience was entertained by various senior group choirs.
Macmillan Kondowe, a volunteer social worker at Age-in-Action Limpopo, addressed the
management and 22 student nurses of Martha Hofmeyer Old Age Home in Limpopo on the
rights of older persons, focusing on the Older Person’s Act and especially the Victim Empow-
erment program, with emphasis on the quality of care which the Act expects older persons to
receive.
After the address, in a question and answer session, management and the nurses received
clarity on responsibility distribution and which acts and omissions can lead to prosecution.
Age-in-Action was able to highlight terms in the Act with regard to carers and define roles
and duties that can be used as guidelines for the future.
Mandela Day
Page 3
July-Aug 2014
Addressing the rights of older persons!
Age-in-Ac�on Eastern Cape set out to do a community profile of Jacksonville. Due to
its size, the town was divided into sec�ons with 4 social workers, 4 social auxiliary
workers and two interns going to task.
One hundred and seventeen surveys were completed.
Upcoming events
29 Sept – 5 Oct Week of Older Persons 1 October International Day of Older Persons
5 October Grandparents Day® 12 October International Arthritis Day
14 November World Diabetes Day 1 December World AIDS Day
Profiling the community
Continuing Education for African Mentors Training
Age-in-Action Eastern Cape were allocated three social auxiliary workers who
will be doing their practical work at the organization for one year. The mentors of
these workers received training which took place at the Port Elizabeth office. The
issue of training manuals to assist the mentors with the mentoring process as well as
the training received, will help mentors understand their roles and the expectations
placed on the students.
Elder Abuse Awareness
A staff member at Age-in-Action Eastern Cape initiated an elder abuse awareness
session at Kuyga Primary School where 88 students were addressed. This informative
session increased elder abuse awareness amongst the youth as some of them were
not aware of all the signs of elder abuse. The session triggered such an awareness that
calls were received from the community regarding social matters.
Pretty things for Little Things Info Session
In prepara�on for the Pre%y Things for Li%le Things compe��on, Age-in-Ac�on Free
State held an informa�on session at Serenita’s Private Residen�al Care Facility in
Bloemfontein, which was a%ended by 23 residents, to encourage par�cipa�on in the
compe��on.
The different categories in which ar�cles will be judged, its distribu�on and who the
beneficiaries will be, were discussed. A few ar�cles entered from the previous year was
displayed.
Please indicate whether you would like to continue receiving our
eNewsletter in future!