North care facility appeals for help to keep residents safe and warm this winter
North care facility appeals for help to keep residents safe and warm this winter
Residentia Hermon has made a heartfelt plea for community support, volunteers and donations to help care for their 102 elderly residents, many of whom are living with dementia, frailty or terminal illness.
Located in Pretoria North, the facility provides a wide range of services including independent living, assisted living, full care, temporary respite and recovery care.
It also offers specialised memory care for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's, as well as palliative care through the Residentia Life programme.
'This is a place where we honour all stages of ageing with dignity and love,' said Lize Strauss, facility manager at Residentia Hermon.
'We try our best to ensure our residents are well cared for, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.'
Strauss said a typical day at the facility begins with breakfast served at 08:00, with flexibility for those who prefer to sleep in.
She said morning activities take place in the lounge, including music, games, and colouring sessions, often led by one of the residents themselves.
From Monday to Thursday, different Christian leaders host Bible study sessions on the second floor, followed by tea or coffee.
Lunch is served at noon, early dinner at 16:00, and evening snacks around 19:00.
'Two of the most loved treats are melkkos and fruit salad,' shared Strauss.
While the dedicated staff, including nurses, caregivers, cleaning and maintenance teams, and a driver, work tirelessly to provide holistic care, volunteers are a crucial part of the community.
'We are always in need of volunteers who can lead activities or simply sit and read to our residents. Even small gestures can make a big difference.'
Currently, only about three to five volunteers assist weekly, and the facility hopes to increase this number.
Strauss recalled a touching story of a volunteer who was the daughter of one of the residents.
'She became like our own Florence Nightingale. Always ready to help and always kind, she made a huge difference in so many lives here. We miss her dearly.'
With the colder months already affecting their mostly Sassa-dependent residents, the facility is in urgent need of essential winter supplies like adult nappies, warm clothing, toiletries, and blankets.
Strauss also highlighted a pressing infrastructural challenge: the lack of backup power for their elevator.
'During power outages, our residents who use walking frames or wheelchairs are trapped upstairs. This not only limits their freedom, but it's dangerous, especially in winter when mobility becomes more difficult.'
Other urgent needs include replacing outdated lighting with emergency solar lights and building ramps to connect front and back passages for easier wheelchair access.
Despite the daily challenges, Strauss said the facility continues to receive positive feedback from families.
'We've had families send us letters and even photos to express their gratitude. It reminds us why we do what we do.'
Those willing to donate or volunteer can contact Residentia Hermon at 012 546 6688 or email hermon@residentia.co.za.
Contributions toward their alternative lift power project are especially appreciated this winter.
'We don't just care for the elderly, we make them feel loved, seen, and safe,' said Strauss.
ALSO READ: Drunk teen driver caught without licence
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
International Day of Yoga: celebrating unity and wellness in Durban
International Day of Yoga will be observed on Saturday. Image: Supplied The 11th annual International Day of Yoga, set to take place at the Durban Amphitheatre on Saturday, has received a wave of goodwill messages from across South Africa's political, diplomatic, and civic leadership. Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, the President of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation and chief organiser of the event, said: "High-profile endorsements include those from His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini; KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli; the Speaker of the KZN Legislature; national and provincial health leaders; and South Africa High Commissioner to India, Bangladesh and Nepal, Professor Anil Sooklal." He added that His Majesty King Makhosonke Mabhena and Her Royal Highness Queen Sekuthali Mabhena from the Amandebele Kingdom had confirmed their attendance yesterday. Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu said the event was expected to draw more than 5 000 yoga practitioners under the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading "The annual observance will showcase how yoga has grown from a once-niche pursuit into a mainstream lifestyle, embraced across race, culture, and generation in post-apartheid South Africa. "Clad in white, yellow, and green shirts to symbolise peace, energy, and the environment, participants from schools, universities, temples, mosques, churches, community and private studios will create a collective canvas of wellness and mindfulness on Saturday. "It is going to be a scenario of children, youth and elders practising side-by-side. Healthcare workers, local yoga instructors, diplomats, and township-based wellness advocates will all move to the same breath, symbolising unity amid diversity - an echo of South Africa's constitutional promise and rainbowism." He said this year's event promised to be more than an exercise in yoga. "It will be a strategic convergence of identity, diplomacy, and development. Yoga is not Indian, Zulu, Christian or Hindu - it is universal. It is a spiritual and health gift to all humanity. International Day of Yoga is becoming a living statement of intent, that wellness is not a privilege but a right, that health is a collective effort, and that cultural diversity can be a source of harmony rather than division." The event, which is free, will be held from 9am until noon. THE POST
The Star
12-06-2025
- The Star
Yoga for unity: Durban gears up for the 11th International Yoga Day
Post Reporter | Published 8 hours ago Next Saturday, the amphitheatre along Durban's beachfront will play host to the 11th International Yoga Day, a much-anticipated event that aims to bridge cultural divides through the practice of yoga. More than 3 000 practitioners are expected to come together under the auspices of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, highlighting the global and inclusive nature of this ancient discipline. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness,' encapsulates a vision of collective wellness that transcends racial, cultural, and generational boundaries. 'It is going to be a scenario of children, youth, and elders practising side by side,' said Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, president of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation. 'Healthcare workers, local yoga instructors, diplomats, and township-based wellness advocates will all move to the same breath, symbolising unity amid diversity — an echo of South Africa's constitutional promise and rainbowism.' The event promises to be a significant gathering, attended by a host of dignitaries, including KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, local councillors, Hindu religious leaders, and Zulu cultural ambassadors. 'This year's event promises to be more than an exercise in yoga," Mabheka Zulu added. "It will be a strategic convergence of identity, diplomacy, and development. Yoga is not Indian, Zulu, Christian, or Hindu. It is universal. It is a spiritual and health gift to all humanity.' Participants can look forward to a morning of peace and unity, as the event will run from 8am to noon. For further details about International Yoga Day, interested readers can visit THE POST
IOL News
12-06-2025
- IOL News
Yoga for unity: Durban gears up for the 11th International Yoga Day
A previous event at the amphitheatre along Durban's beachfront. Image: Supplied Next Saturday, the amphitheatre along Durban's beachfront will play host to the 11th International Yoga Day, a much-anticipated event that aims to bridge cultural divides through the practice of yoga. More than 3 000 practitioners are expected to come together under the auspices of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation, highlighting the global and inclusive nature of this ancient discipline. This year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness,' encapsulates a vision of collective wellness that transcends racial, cultural, and generational boundaries. 'It is going to be a scenario of children, youth, and elders practising side by side,' said Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, president of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation. 'Healthcare workers, local yoga instructors, diplomats, and township-based wellness advocates will all move to the same breath, symbolising unity amid diversity — an echo of South Africa's constitutional promise and rainbowism.' The event promises to be a significant gathering, attended by a host of dignitaries, including KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, local councillors, Hindu religious leaders, and Zulu cultural ambassadors. 'This year's event promises to be more than an exercise in yoga," Mabheka Zulu added. "It will be a strategic convergence of identity, diplomacy, and development. Yoga is not Indian, Zulu, Christian, or Hindu. It is universal. It is a spiritual and health gift to all humanity.' Participants can look forward to a morning of peace and unity, as the event will run from 8am to noon. For further details about International Yoga Day, interested readers can visit THE POST
