Home care and assisted living
You may find that as the older person you are caring for ages, they are unable to get around as easily as they used to, including performing tasks such as grocery shopping and preparing meals. There may be times where you need help in caring for them.
Safe home
While retirement homes are often fitted out to cater for seniors, many older persons prefer to stay at home, which is often a more economical option. If this is the case, it is best that the home environment is safe and easy for them to get around in. Ageing loved ones may become frail – losing the agility they had in their younger years.
Health problems, poor eyesight, and side effects from medication could increase the chance of injury in the home. By taking these ailments into consideration, and with a little preparation, your home can be a safe haven, allowing elderly loved ones to be as comfortable as possible. For helpful tips, please see
Creating a safe home for seniors.
Home-based care and assistance
Older people who prefer to live in the comfort of a familiar home, yet require assistance from a carer or healthcare professional, may benefit from home-based care services. Usually, your elderly friend or family member will live in his or her own unit, assisted by services such as domestic cleaning, a carer assisting with personal hygiene and the administration of medicine, a nurse on 24-hour call, and meals.
Fast fact
Assisted living is also known as midcare or supported living.
Western Cape Government home community-based care programme (HCBC)
The Western Cape Government provides rehabilitative care to those who need home care, under the
Home Community-based Care (HCBC) Programme. This includes a nurse visiting your elderly loved one at home to assess their immediate health care needs.
Top tip
Meals-on-Wheels may assist you by delivering warm meals directly to your home. Find the
Western Cape Government endorsed Meals-on-Wheels service closest to you for warm meals delivered directly to your home.
Senior citizen complexes
Senior citizen complexes provide safe, comfortable housing for persons over the age of 60.
Find a Senior citizen complex near you, or visit our
Homes for the aged page to find out more about the various facilities available for older people.
Please note
Criteria and requirements for admission vary depending on the facility.
Counselling and support
Caring for a loved one who is frail can be stressful. It is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed both physically and mentally while looking after another person. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) offers a number of support groups and hotlines, for various needs.
Find more information on their website.
You can also contact the Adcock Ingram Depression and Anxiety Helpline on
0800 70 80 90.
Feelings of loss and sadness are natural when an older loved one passes away. Bereavement counsellors can be very useful in guiding you through the process of grief. Griefshare offer group counselling meetings, where participants meet with a group to share your loss.
Find a Griefshare meeting in your area.
FAMSA provide individual, group and family counselling services to loved ones of the deceased. Visit the
FAMSA website.
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