Gonubie-based Ebenezer Frail Care Home is asking for help from the community as they are facing challenges with maintaining the facility and residents. “I started the home in 2002 out of desperation to care for my sickly mother, as well as my brother who had Parkinson’s disease, and none of us had any income.
“We started with one other elderly patient in the house. “With the help and guidance
from God, the bank granted me a loan and we were able to add two more rooms.
“The business just snowballed and today we have three homes and 45 residents, of which 15 suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease,” matron Engela Korff said.
“I have started my plea for help in 2006 and have had three articles in the newspapers over the years “I’ve had many meetings, phone calls and applications with the municipality in order to obey all the rules and regulations required.
”The demand to develop has now come to the point where we are desperate for assistance.” Korff said they started with nine carers per shift plus their cook, but they have expanded to the point now that they have 14 carers, one cook, one cook’s assistant, one
laundry worker, one day carer for occupational therapy and two gardeners.
“If we are able to develop it will also address the issue of job creation, and we will have
opportunities for our carers to work themselves up to supervisor positions, thus empowering women .
“We are looking for developers, donations, advisors and any form of assistance to enable us to assist more people who so desperately need our care and affection,” she said. The registered non-profit organisation is in high demand but does not have enough space to
accommodate residents that want to reside.
“We have the opportunity to develop now in this area. We are situated in a cul-de-sac with seven houses, of which three already belong to us.
“Two of the owners want to sell, and there are also two vacant plots which can be developed into retirement cottages, for which there is a great demand, bed-sitters and a much needed frail care centre.”
Korff said: “We aim to have an Alzheimer’s centre, which is to be completely separated from the frail care.
“We also need a laundry centre and a relaxation area, as our residents love to braai.”
For more information, phone 043-740-252
