It has been quite a shock to my system to be back in the driver’s seat since 1 February 2023 after completing my PhD. I have been studying for the last ten years, spending most of my time in my head, and only giving advice and guidance to the team when needed. (Ok, often also when not needed…). Being back has reminded me again how much effort we put into what we do, the variety of meal options that we offer residents, the time that goes into ensuring optimal nutrition. Our care teams are dedicated to ensuring optimal quality of life for each resident, whatever it takes. I am exceptionally proud of GERATEC and what we stand for, how we do what we do and the values of respect, innovation, integrity and compassion that we live out on a daily basis.
IFA Congress
In June / July this year, Prof. Jaco Hoffman, Prof. Vera Roos and Dr. Rayne Stroebel visited the International Longevity Centre (ILC) in Singapore as members of ILC South Africa. The visit aimed to share common themes around socio-gerontology and to learn from examples in Singapore to establish a community for successful ageing.The visit aimed to share common themes around socio-gerontology and to learn from examples in Singapore to establish a community for successful ageing. Winsy Togelang and Preeti Wasnik introduced us to some of the older women at the Whampoa community centre, who under the leadership of Wendy Khon prepared a variety of local dishes. Vera accepted the challenge to play Rummikub with the ladies who proofed to be formidable at their game.
The IFA conference was used as a platform to introduce and create awareness of the Implementation of the African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing. This Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Richts of Older Persons in Africa was presented and knowledge gained could be used to align research and to contextualise the focus of a specific research topic. At the IFA conference it was announced that ILC South Africa in collaboration with the NWU and Optentia Research Unit will be hosting the next IFA conference in 2025 in Cape Town.
International Longevity Center of South Africa
ILC South Africa is pleased to announce that Rayne Stroebel has joined its leadership team as an Executive Member. He serves alongside Professors Sebastiana Kalula and Jaco Hoffman, based at the University of Cape Town and North-West University, respectively, who are ILCSA’s Co-directors. Retired Professor Monica Ferreira remains Honorary President of ILCSA.
International Longevity Centre South Africa (ILCSA) is a not-for-profit research, education, policy and care organisation which focuses on challenges and opportunities of population ageing, the promotion of healthy and productive ageing, and the optimisation of older persons’ participation in society.
PCH (Princess Christian Home)
GERATEC was appointed managing agents by the Board of Directors of PCH to assist in establishing best practices in care and support of their residents. Our team is hard at work to empower all employees in relationship directed support.
The History of Princess Christian Home….
The Princess Christian Home began in 1904. The thought of providing a home for indigent females began several years earlier when doctors at Somerset Hospital were concerned about the number of women coming in for treatment who seemingly had no proper home. Many of them had been brought to this country as governesses or ladies’ maids and when too old to work, had not got the money to return to England. The doctors approached some affluent ladies who spoke to the wife of the Governor General Sir Hely Hutchinson, and through her, learnt that Rhodes had left an area of land on the Rhodes Estate for just such a Home. In the suburb of Mowbray this site, on the beautiful slopes of Devil’s Peak, gave good views of the mountain and the distant Tygerberg hills.
It is not known who approached Princess Christian for permission to use her name but she graciously allowed this. The third daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, she had married Prince Christian of Schleswig Holstein Augustenberg whom she had met on a visit to Germany with her mother. An impoverished Prince, who as third child, had no hope of a ruling position, Queen Victoria would only consent to the marriage if he came to live permanently in England. Christian agreed to do so and they were married in July, 1866 when the Queen gave him the title of Royal Highness.
Their Son, Prince Victor, came out here in 1902 with the British troops to fight in the Boer War but died of Enteric Fever. Wanting to visit his grave in Pretoria, Princess Christian accompanied by her daughter, Princess Helena Victoria, came to South Africa in September 1904. From Cape Town they went by rail to Pretoria where she visited the grave and also laid the Foundation Stone for another Home which was to bear her name. After an extensive tour of Southern Africa they returned to the Cape where Princess Christian laid the Foundation Stone of this Home on Monday 10 th October 1904. The Stone was not incorporated into a building until 1907. Problems with funding and trying to find the cheapest and easiest to run structure delayed the project. Eventually the building of three interlocking cottages began in mid-1907 and after its completion at the end of the year, it was dedicated by Archbishop West Jones and opened for four residents with some offices. As the need for accommodation grew, five new wings, a luxurious common room, a sick bay, and new quarters for the Matron were added between 1911 and 1961. Mr Hart went round to all the surrounding municipalities to ask for donations, and in 1974, the then Chairman of the Committee Edwin Hart, opened the Annexe, a block of retirement flats in the lower part of the grounds. Then in 1996 the University of Cape Town approached Mrs Grace Lawton, Chairman of the Board of Management, saying they wished to take over the site but would search for another location for the Home. Their choice fell on the present site, which, in the development of the suburb of Kirstenhof, had been designated for such a facility, but was still vacant. Complicated negotiations between Government and Provincial authorities ensued. (The site was then within the South Peninsula Municipality but now has been incorporated into the Cape Town City Council). The S.P.M had hived off a 30 metre strip bordering Tokai Road for commercial purposes. Eventually building of the Home and Lawton Court (Flats 1 to 24) on the attenuated portion took place in 2004.
The “Great Move” from Mowbray to Tokai was a mammoth task for all staff and, where available, relatives. It took place in early December 2004, and Lawton Court residents moved in during the first months of 2005. After further protracted negotiations with C.T.C, the Home paid for that still unused strip of land and the building of 16 more flats started in 2008. Not only has the Princess Christian Home grown in size – it can now accommodate 47 residents and with Lawton Court, is now named the Village, but the amenities offered have also increased. For some time in the early years of the Home, Royalty continued to visit, Princess Alice, another daughter of Queen Victoria and wife of a former Governor General, and Princess Marie Louise, another daughter of the Princess Christian, came whenever they visited this country and their photographs hang in the foyer of the Home with one of Princess Christian. On the opposite wall there is a picture of the original Home in Mowbray and the Foundation Stone of the Home with those, of the two added wings, are in the covered way leading to the Home.
Nazareth House
The GERATEC team is honoured to be an integral part of Nazareth Care, both in the food services management and in The Villa, a home for people living with dementia. Our Care team provides training and development, alongside monthly “Dementia Dialogue” offerings to residents, their families, employees and members of the public.
Geluksoord Stellenbosch
Die Direksie van Geluksoord op Stellenbosch stel GERATEC aan om die tehuis namens hulle te bestuur en beste praktyke te implementeer. Met Riaan Coetzer aan bewind is daar reeds ‘n groot ommeswaai teweeg gebring. Geluksoord is geleë in die boomryke Onder Papegaaiberg omgewing, en bied behuising vir 80 Inwoners.
Huis Ria Abel
ACVV Huis Ria Abel in the heart of Brooklyn, Cape Town joined the GERATEC family from 1 July 2023.GERATEC delivers the Food & Housekeeping services to this beautiful home
Groot Parys Lifestyle Estate
GERATEC is proud to be in Partnership with Groot Parys Development in consultation of phase 3 of the development that will include the lifestyle centre and assisted living accommodation for persons older than 49 years. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.
Goodbye to Joan/Retha/Marietjie
This year we had to say goodbye to three of our strong women – Joan, Retha and Marietjie. Together the three of them worked in our company for almost 50 years, leaving a deep impression on genuine care, walking many extra miles and carrying our values through everything that they did. We will forever be grateful for their years of dedicated service.
WELCOME BIANCA
We are pleased to announce that Bianca Wilkinson joined GERATEC on 11 September 2023 as the HealthCare Manager.
Bianca’s career started in 2015 as a Professional Nurse at Mediclinic and worked since 2021 as a Health
Care Coordinator and since 2023 as Nursing Services Manager at Faircape Health.
We are pleased to welcome Bianca and wish her a long and successful career with GERATEC.
More about Bianca…..
I have always believed that everything that lives has the right to a good life. That’s why I decided to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps in 2014 by starting my nursing career through in-service training at Panorama Mediclinic. After I qualified I spent most of my time in the psychiatric and ICU units, where I developed my passion for geriatric patients. In 2021 I decided to leave the hospital setting to move to a home setting. Here I sharpened my knowledge and experience, which I now look forward to applying and promoting at Geratec.
Amended Health Diet Launch
We are thrilled to share some exciting news that underscores our commitment to the holistic well-being of our aged care residents. At GERATEC, we believe in constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of those in our care. It is with great enthusiasm that we introduce our Amended Health Menu Option, a thoughtful addition to our comprehensive food and care offering. Our original Health Menu was compiled for residents living with diabetes, hypertension, overweight and/ or cardiac conditions. The amended version will now also comply with the MIND Dietary Guidelines.
The MIND diet, which stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, is a groundbreaking approach that emphasizes the consumption of nutrient-rich foods associated with brain health. This dietary plan draws inspiration from the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, both renowned for their positive impact on cardiovascular health and cognitive function.
Here are some key reasons behind our decision to implement the MIND dietary option:
Cognitive Health Focus:
The MIND diet is specially designed to promote brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. It incorporates foods rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting cognitive function and memory retention.
Nutrient-Rich Choices:
Our MIND dietary option encourages the consumption of a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins. These nutrient-dense foods provide essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health and vitality.
Heart-Healthy Benefits:
By combining elements from the Mediterranean and DASH diets, the MIND dietary option not only supports cognitive health but also contributes to cardiovascular well-being. This aligns with our holistic approach to care, addressing multiple facets of our residents’ health.
Research-Backed Approach:
The MIND diet has gained recognition in scientific research for its potential to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and slow down cognitive decline. By incorporating this evidence-based approach into our care model, we are aligning GERATEC with the latest advancements in senior care.
At GERATEC, we are dedicated to providing not just a plate of food, but nutrition that fosters optimal well-being. The introduction of the MIND dietary option is a testament to our ongoing commitment to enhancing the lives of our residents.
We look forward to embarking on this journey toward improved cognitive and overall health together.
Helderberg Society for the Aged Golf Day
Great fun was had by all while raising funds for the HSFA. GERATEC has been a strategic partner in food services management for the HSFA for the past 25 years. We have walked a long road of establishing the best in care, and we are extremely proud of this partnership.
Mandela Day
Yearly the GERATEC employees contribute from their own salaries to help provide to persons that are in need through putting together Jars of Hope, that can supply a meal for a family of 4 people, it the gets distributed to different organisations in Cape Town. Well done Team GERATEC for again helping the greater community.
Training 2024
Make sure that you check our website for many wonderful workshops and training events in 2024 – we will focus more on older persons living in the community to bring knowledge and information to them, as well as providing courses in advanced care and support.
For more information or to get your tailored fit quotation, feel free to contact our Business development Manager, Melanie Crozier @ mcrozier@geratecza.com
Tannie Antjie’s Ginger Beer
My wonderful team decided to make this family recipe gingerbeer in memory of my mother. The label has a photograph of my mother and her handwritten recipe on it. A very touching tribute.
Come and try a ice cold ginger beer at our HSFA Coffee shop and enjoy!
