According to Brian Geiss, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology “Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, is a very serious pathogen for people over 60. As it continues to spread, this older age group will continue to be at risk for serious disease and death”. For the love of elderly people, Non-profit organization, South African National Zakah Fund (Sanzaf) has donated hygiene packages at various old age homes.
Rainbow Lane Silvertown Cottages received over 100 packs and a few homes in the community received the remaining packs. Another 70 packs were donated to the Douglas Murray old-age home. The packages were distributed by Sanzaf Volunteers consisted of hand sanitizer, a water bottle, Dettol soap and tissues. Shafiek Barendse,Sanzaf regional manager said “The seniors at the old- age homes were extremely grateful since most of them don’t have families to visit and aren’t able to contact them either. Many of them did not have the basics such as sanitizer.”
Megan Schilder Douglas Murray Home Project Fund-Raiser says it is important for us to track hygiene and safety with our elderly residents during this period. “We had a limited amount of supplies to get us through the next few months and this donation will truly help,” she said.
Schilder said 90% of the patients had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia, which made it difficult for them to understand the whole idea of self-isolating and the safety measures to be taken during this period. “We will take certain steps to make sure residents are not confined in spaces where they have to be close to each other. The staff will assist those residents who are bed-ridden and can’t take care of their own hygiene,” she said.
