These three organisations are bettering the lives of our elders; we honour them and the incredible work they do, this upcoming World Senior Citizen’s Day.
South Africa (20 August 2023) – According to the WHO’s World Report on Ageing and Health, the proportion of South Africa’s population aged 60 years or older will double from 7.7% (4.2 million) to 15.4% (10.06 million) of the country’s total population by 2050. The WHO estimates that 38.4% of South Africans between the ages of 65 and 74 and 49.2% of those aged 75 and older have limitations in eating, bathing, dressing, getting in and out of bed, or using the toilet.
Statistics SA figures indicate that less than a quarter (23.8% in 2017 and 23.3% in 2021) of the older persons in South Africa were members of medical aid schemes or private health insurance. Medical aid coverage was the highest for older white persons (75.7%) and lowest for black Africans (5.4%). In eight out of the nine provinces, most older persons made use of public clinics for their healthcare needs.
International World Senior Citizen’s Day is celebrated on 21 August each year and is intended to increase awareness of the factors and issues that affect older adults, such as health deterioration and elder abuse. It is also a day to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of older people to society.
“The elderly in South Africa really bear the brunt of social and economic challenges in a society where their families often can’t afford to take care of them, after they’ve taken care of those same families for a lifetime,” says Pieter Twine, General Manager: MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet.
“There are many organisations doing amazing work in helping our elderly retain their dignity, access care and support services and help them play an active role in society – and we urge our supporters to add one of these kinds of organisations as a beneficiary to their MySchool card profiles to ensure they get the valuable support they need, with a simple swipe”.
Solving Community Challenges
Ikamva Labantu’s has been harnessing South Africa’s potential through community-led projects since 1962, focusing on putting people first and human security.
Millions of older people in Cape Town’s townships are living in abject poverty and regularly experience isolation, abuse and neglect. This is exacerbated by weakened family ties, financial insecurity, limited mobility, and a lack of access to quality healthcare. Dire living conditions are the norm for many older people who live in neighbourhoods rife with crime and with limited access to basic services such as water, electricity and emergency services. Many are also unaware of their rights and lack the resources or information to seek help when they need it.
Ikamva Labantu runs two community-based interventions that promote active ageing and allow older people to live with dignity: Senior Clubs and The Umwelane Project. Five days a week, hundreds of older people are provided transport to and from Ikamva Labantu’s Senior Clubs where they access a range of activities addressing health, nutrition, and cognitive stimulation. Importantly, they are able to be among their peers in a social environment, away from the stress and isolation of their homes. Ikamva Labantu senior members also have access to health and psychosocial support that the field workers provide.
The Umelwane Project is Ikamva Labantu’s home-based care model which provides an essential safety net to support both frail older people and their caregivers. The fieldworkers walk door-to-door throughout Cape Town’s townships, searching for older people in need of support. These field workers are called Umelwanes, which means ‘neighbourhood friend’ in isiXhosa.
Securing Safe Accommodation
The Association for the Aged (TAFTA) aims to alleviate the distress of the elderly and other vulnerable groups and to make dignity, growth and meaningful life a realistic prospect for all elders. The organisation manages 13 well-organised and secure residential facilities within the greater Durban area, that cater for the specific needs of the elderly – including 3 frail care units and 4 Assisted Living facilities. They also offer a range of support services, such as Meals on Wheels and Home Based Care, to enable older persons to continue living in their own homes.
Seniors’ quality of life is of paramount importance; opportunities for social interaction, entertainment and activities are offered through their clubs and Wellness Centres for free or at a nominal charge.
Supporting those who Served
The Elderly Care Fund for Retired Police Officials is a registered Non-Profit Company that focuses on enhancing the quality of life of retired South African Police Services employees and ensure they age with dignity and grace.
The purpose of the organisation is to promote social welfare for retired police officials and Public Services Act personnel and their spouses, as well as widows and widowers of deceased police officials and Public Service Act members. Their services include therapeutic services, support to the widowers and widows regarding pension and medical aid management, support groups in most of the communities, home visits and emergency aid to those in need.
About MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet: The programme delivers funding to schools, charities, communities, animal and environmental organisations via a physical and virtual card system that allows supporters to raise funds for their chosen beneficiaries by simply ‘swiping’ every time they shop at partner retail stores. You can sign up here.
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