UKZN Nursing Students Uplift the Elderly

UKZN Nursing Students Uplift the Elderly

Second-year Nursing students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal organised a remarkable intervention programme at The Association for The Aged (TAFTA), a senior living facility located in the Point area, South Beach, Durban.

Placed within the area, the students, under the leadership of Dr Silingene Ngcobo, embarked on a community profile project as part of their Nursing assessments. Their mission was to identify the primary challenges facing the community and take action within their means to provide solutions. The TAFTA old age home became the focal point of their initiative. 

Upon their initial visit to the old age home, the students were touched by the compassionate care provided to the elderly residents. Collaborating with key community stakeholders and representatives from various departments, they employed group dynamics and brainstorming to develop an impressive intervention program geared towards addressing the difficulties faced by the elderly. 

Healthy Eating and Living Alliance’s (HEALA) Mr Nzama Mbalati (programmes manager) and Mr Billal Mpazayabo (social media co-ordinator) travelled from Johannesburg to impart values of proper nutrition; Sr Pravitha Naidoo from the Phoenix Spinal Rehabilitation Centre urged the importance of medication adherence as well as simple exercises for maintaining health; and Captain Swastika Govender and Sergeant Patrina Qwabe from the Point Police Station raised awareness about personal safety. 

The students, using an engaging play, emphasised the significance of sticking to a medication schedule, maintaining a balanced diet, and the harmful effects of smoking. The play resonated with the audience, leaving them delighted with laughter. Moreover, students provided information and guidance on diabetic foot care and engaged the audience in therapeutic gardening, offering recycled pots filled with soil and flower seeds. 

As the day drew to a close, students distributed hygiene packs containing daily medication holders and essential toiletries, reinforcing their commitment to medication adherence. Refreshments included bottled water, toasted sandwiches and fruit. 

On October 24, the students returned to TAFTA to evaluate the impact of their intervention, where they found that all their objectives had been achieved – much to their delight. Residents were using the pill boxes to manage their medications, and the weekly meals now featured an increased variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Notably, there was a significant 36.7% increase in the number of residents participating in the bi-weekly exercise classes. 

Miss Jackie Russell, the manager of TAFTA, expressed her appreciation, saying, ‘This was the most well-planned and effective intervention carried out by the UKZN Nursing students. We truly appreciate everything and wish you all the very best for the future.’ 

In addition to their intervention at TAFTA, the students donated workbooks to the Joyce and Josiah Day Care Centre and distributed clothing to the homeless at the Payless shelter. This initiative demonstrates the significant impact that a dedicated group of Nursing students can make within their community, addressing critical health and well-being needs while fostering positive change. 

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photographs: Supplied