A powerful call to protect, honour and care for the elderly is at the heart of Kennersley Park’s Turquoise Together Campaign, running from May 15 to June 15.
The awareness initiative aims to highlight the rights, dignity and protection of elderly people, while also raising funds to support the growing medical and care needs of frail residents.
At the centre of the campaign is a message that older people should never become invisible in society.
“In every community there are people who carry the stories, wisdom, sacrifices and experiences that shaped the world we live in today,” said René Wienekus, nursing services manager at Kennersley Park.
“As they grow older, they deserve more than care alone — they deserve dignity, respect, safety, protection and a community that values them.”
Wienekus said one of the campaign’s main goals was to raise awareness about elder abuse and neglect, issues that often remained hidden despite affecting many vulnerable older people.
“Abuse of older persons can take many forms.
“It may involve physical abuse through rough handling or injury, psychological abuse through humiliation or threats, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect through the failure to provide basic care and necessities.”
Wienekus described abuse as any action or lack of action within a relationship of trust that caused harm or distress to an older person.
She said many warning signs often went unnoticed.
“Unexplained injuries, fearfulness, withdrawal, poor hygiene, sudden financial problems, emotional distress, neglect of medical needs or isolation are not merely concerns. They are warning signs that demand attention,” Wienekus said.
She emphasised that the rights of older people, supported by legislation and international principles, affirmed that the elderly should live in dignity and security, free from exploitation, neglect and abuse.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of abuse.
“Any suspicion of abuse is treated with the utmost seriousness and immediately investigated because every older person has the right to feel safe, protected and respected.”
The campaign also shines a spotlight on the evolving realities of elderly care.
Wienekus explained that many residents now entered retirement and frail care facilities much later in life, often presenting with multiple co-morbidities and complex medical conditions that required specialised professional care and constant monitoring.
“This shift has significantly changed the nature of elderly care.”
She said while assisted living and frail care costs were expensive, many people did not realise that the greatest cost was in providing around-the-clock professional healthcare.
Qualified nurses and healthcare teams must know each resident’s medical history intimately, identify subtle changes in health conditions, monitor appetite and behaviour, conduct critical nursing assessments and recognise symptoms of multiple co-morbidities before referrals are even made to doctors.
“Caring for older persons is not only about administering medication or assisting with daily activities.
“It requires expertise, vigilance, compassion and constant observation,” she said.
The increasing complexity of care has also created a growing demand for specialised medical equipment including hoists, hospital beds, air mattresses and other essential support items, equipment not covered by monthly resident fees.
For this reason, the Turquoise Together Campaign is also focused on fundraising to improve the quality of care for frail residents.
The public is invited to support the initiative by participating in a 1.5km or 5km Fun Walk and attending the Market Day on May 30, from 8am to 1pm.
Funds raised will go towards purchasing additional specialised medical equipment for residents requiring high levels of care.
Wienekus said the campaign represented more than fundraising alone.
“Turquoise symbolises healing, calmness, protection, hope and togetherness, values that mirror the mission of Kennersley Park and the care we strive to provide every day,” Wienekus said.
“Ageing should never mean becoming invisible.
“Older persons should be able to live with dignity, and in safety and security, surrounded by care and compassion.”
