It takes a great deal of commitment to look after sick, elderly and deaf citizens. The Rusoord (rest resort) home for the hearing impaired in Bellville (northern suburbs of Cape Town) is a place where this is done. But how does the home ensure their residents have a good quality of life?

Various patients in the home suffer from conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This often creates communication barriers between other residents, leading to depression and anxiety, eventually resulting in conflict.

“People with Parkinson’s tend to slur their speech which makes it difficult for other deaf people to lip read.”

Suzelle Serfontein, a social worker who dedicated her life to assisting the hearing impaired across the northern suburbs of Cape Town, hosts regular afternoon sessions with Rusoord residents in an attempt to make residents understand each other.

Such workshops entail educating residents on certain conditions such as Parkinsons’s disease. It also aims at resolving potential disputes. Residents are gathered to perform skits that display examples of conflict, and ways of resolving it. Serfontein says that in this way, those who do not suffer from such conditions, will learn to have more patience with those who do.

The staff are also specially trained to work with the deaf. Regular workshops are held that focus on sign language amongst other things.

Medical care often a challenge
Taking the elderly to the doctor can take an entire day, especially with those who have to go to state hospitals or clinics.

Serfontein said: “If they need to go to the doctor, you cannot just leave them there. If the person has difficulty communicating with others, you need an interpreter.”

There is a frail care section on the left wing of the home where sickly patients are housed and kept under constant supervision. All patients have their privacy as there are single rooms available. Nurses work 12 hour shifts and there is a sick bay for emergency cases.

Very often the staff find it tricky to handle sickly patients, especially when it comes to bathing and grooming. “Those who suffer with Alzheimer’s disease tend to be short-tempered and frustrated. You need to work nicely with them,” says Christine Beukes, the housemother at Rusoord.

“The people in the home don’t hold back if they are unhappy. Sometimes they complain because they have impressions of other homes. But we do try our best,” says Serfontein.

Rusoord does not provide therapy to its residents. Those who need therapy and have access to a medical aid, receive personal rehabilitation sessions at the home.

Keeping the elderly entertained
“Deaf people generally feel separated from society and this can lead to misery. A lot of the residents have a history of depression. Some are on medication while others have counselling so they can have a better quality of life,” according to Serfontein.

Some feel frustrated with their lack of ability to entertain themselves. The home does host numerous activities such as ‘Biduur’ (prayer hour) twice a week and games like dominoes are played to keep residents entertained.

The home regularly takes those, who are interested, on outings. Sometimes, they will visit other deaf clubs and have socials. Serfontein says usually only the strongest attend. Every Friday, residents can board the bus and do their shopping at the local grocery store.

Others keep themselves busy with a hobby. Serfontein spoke of a remarkable woman in her early sixties who is blind. She was born deaf, and became blind during her late teens. She explained how her and fellow residents communicate by writing on her hands. Keeping herself busy is no hassle… she knits.

Beukes says there are families that take a strong interest in their relatives. Some visit regularly or send letters. Others phone and give a message to the nurses who then pass it on to the person concerned. In one instance, there is a Catholic woman living at the home who has no family close by. Her church has made it a priority to visit her on a weekly basis.

Rusoord does not receive any subsidy. Most of their income is received from residents or through donations. Serfontein says it is currently the only old age home for the deaf in the Western Cape and it is most likely one of the cheapest homes in the northern suburbs.

By Matthew Louw, Health24