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Introduction
There are a wide variety of different types of Intellectual disabilities or impairments that effect both adults and children around the world and in South Africa. Some of these persons are not able to stay alone or with family members due to the constant care or supervision that they require on a daily bases. Permanent housing for adults and some children with intellectual disabilities usually comes in the form of licensed Care Centres, Assisted Living Facilities or Group Homes, these homes are sometimes also called "Homes of Safety". The residents of these homes have chronic disabilities that prevent them from being able to function without guidance and protection, this diminished intellectual ability can be congenital, genetic, caused by injury at birth, motor vehicle accident, sickness or environmental deficiencies. The various homes provide highly structured environments and can cater for children, young adults, adults and seniors. Typically there are an average of six residents and at least one trained caregiver for 24 hours a day, although there are normally more caregivers, depending on the amount of residence and the care that they require. Some of these homes that care for persons with Intellectual Impairments also cater for persons with other impairments, such as the Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre in North West, which caters for persons with Intellectual Impairments and Mobility Impairments. Those persons with Intellectual Impairments that normally live in these homes may include:
- Persons with Autism
- Persons with Down Syndrome
- Persons with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Persons with chronic or long-term mental/psychiatric disorders.
- Persons with Dementia.
Types of Homes
There are a variety of different types of homes that are available in South Africa to assist persons with disabilities including those with Intellectual Impairments that cannot stay on their own or with family members, this includes Homes that are government run and funded, as well as others that are privately run by various organisations. The government subsidised facilities are generally less expensive for the resident thanks to the support they are receiving from the government, while Care Centres that are privately run by different organisations, rely on the monthly fees that they charge the residents, or through funds that they are able to raise through the organisation.
There are various types of both government and private run Care Centres, these include:
- Respite and Care Centres - "Respite Care" is the term used for services designed to give you a break from caring. It can come in various forms, including Residential facilities which operate as licensed "Respite Facilities", an example of one of these Care Facilities that also offer Respite Care in South Africa is the Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre in North West.
- Old Age and Retirement Centres - There are various Old Age and Retirement Centres that also accept persons with disabilities, including those with Intellectual Impairments such as Dementia. An example of one of these "Homes", is the PlumRus Old Age and Retirement Centre in Cape Town.
- Gender and Age Specific Care Centres - Gender and Age Specific Care Centres are those Care Centres that only cater for persons of a certain Gender or Age Group, such as the Open Circle in Cape Town, who only cater for adults with intellectual disabilities. The Gabriella Centre in Somerset West for example only caters for children and young adults with Intellectual Disabilities, while the Adams Farm in Cape Town only caters for women with Intellectual Disabilities.
- "Disability" Specific Care Centres - Most Care Centres only cater for persons from certain Disability groups, such as those with Intellectual Impairments but there are Care Facilities such as the Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre in the North West, which caters for persons with Intellectual Impairments and Mobility Impairments, while there are also places such as The Academy For Adults With Autism in Wellington, Western Cape, who only cater for Adults with Autism.
Please read the information below to find out more about these and other Care Centres.
1. Respite and Care Centres
Respite and Care Centres are those Care Centres that not only offer full time care but also offer "Respite Care" for those who require a break from caring. Respite care is a specialised service in which a person with a disability is cared for while the caregiver and/or family take a break in order to be able to recharge their batteries. This is vital as the stress of constant caring for a person with a disability can be extremely draining and physically demanding.
There are various Respite and Care Centres that operate throughout South Africa, this includes the Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre, which is situated in North West. Please read the information below about this wonderful spacious haven, which is situated in a rural environment, offering tranquility, happiness, dignity and professional 24-hour residential care for people with profound physical and/or intellectual disabilities.
Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre
The Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre is a wonderful haven in a spacious rural environment, offering tranquility, happiness, dignity and professional 24-hour residential care for people with profound physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Shalom offers limited places which are primarily for those who need professional nursing care while being surrounded by a healthy, country-side setting. There are also short-term places for families wanting to offer a stay-at-home disabled family member a “holiday in the country” or afford the family a rest from home-caring. At Shalom, you can take a break in order to be able to recharge your batteries, so that you can continue with the demanding task of care giving.
Shalom is located in a beautiful farm environment on the edge of Magaliesburg, yet is still close to essential services. There is an abundance of loving and expert care offered by trained staff who are fully experienced in this particular aspect of care for persons with physically and intellectually disabilities. The individual needs of the client are given full consideration and regular contact is maintained with families to ensure that all physical and psychological needs of their family member is met.
Image Courtesy of Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre
The Shalom residents are accommodated in the main building which is surrounded by 2 acres of land and open fields where residents, either independently or assisted by the staff, have the opportunity to take daily walks. There is a swing and roundabout that accommodates wheelchairs. In the grounds, there is a small chapel built from local stone and thatch, with a stained glass window for each of the major religions, signifying that Shalom embraces all cultures.
Shalom is managed by a committee of parents and friends of Shalom.
For any further information, please contact the Manager on Tel: 014 577 0122 or Cell: 076 591 0905. You can also email them at: shalomrespite@gmail.com or visit their website on: www.shalom-respitecarecentre.co.za. Alternatively you can make an appointment to visit Shalom at: Portion 43, Kaalfontein Farm, off the Koster Road near Magaliesburg.
2. Old Age and Retirement Centres
There are various Old Age and Retirement Centres that also accept persons with disabilities, including those with Intellectual Impairments such as Dementia. An example of one of these "Homes", is the PlumRus Old Age and Retirement Centre in Cape Town.
PlumRus
PlumRus is a home for the elderly that is situated in the beautiful Constantia Valley of Cape Town. The idyllic setting is perfect for the 243 residents, who either live in flats and bachelor flats, or in Health Care rooms. PlumRus also caters for some residents with Intellectual Impairments such as Dementia, while the PlumRus Community Service Centre also offers both Home Base Care and Day Care for clients who' families need respite care:
Image Courtesy of PlumRus
PlumRus Community Service Centre: The PlumRus Community Service Centre offers both Home Base Care and Day Care to ensure that their clients are catered for in the best possible way, offering different types of packages to suite the clients needs.
Home Base Care: Plumrus Community Service Centre (CSC) provides basic home base care in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. These services are tailor made to meet the individual clients needs and range from a basic care routine to light housekeeping, engaging activities and companionship. We are able to provide all of this and so much more. You also get to choose when (which days) and for how long (hours of shift) you would like to have us care for you. Home Base Care rates starts from R345.
Day Care: For up to 12 hours a day you can drop your family member off at our facility and we will take care of all their needs, as if they are a resident of ours. This Day Care includes 3 wholesome meals and activities such as, movies, crochet, bible study, bingo, reading and so much more. We also supply a free clinic service every Monday. Day Care rate is R400 per day (weekends and public holidays included), Contact Plumrus Community Service Centre (CSC) to find out more.
The Plumrus Community Service Centre (CSC) are also available to assist you if you are traveling to Cape Town and need Home Base Caregivers to assist you. Contact Plumrus Community Service Centre (CSC) on Tel: 021 761 2323 or via email: rhodene@plumrus.co.za to find out more, or visit their website at: www.plumrus.co.za.
3. Gender and Age Specific Care Centres
Gender and Age Specific Care Centres are those Care Centres that only cater for persons of a certain Gender or Age Group, such as the Open Circle in Cape Town, who only cater for adults with intellectual disabilities. The Gabriella Centre in Somerset West for example only caters for children and young adults with Intellectual Disabilities, while the Adams Farm in Cape Town only caters for women with Intellectual Disabilities. Click on the"links of Interest" below to find these types of Care Facilities near you, or visit our Search Facility to find out more. If you
4. "Disability" Specific Care Centres
"Disability" Specific Care Centres are those Care Centres which only cater for persons from certain Disability groups, such as those with Intellectual Impairments, there are however Care Facilities such as the Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre in the North West, which caters for persons with Intellectual Impairments and Mobility Impairments, as well as places such as The Academy For Adults With Autism in Wellington, Western Cape, who only cater for Adults with Autism. Click on the "links of Interest" below to find these types of Care Facilities near you, or visit our Search Facility to find out more.
Links of Interest
In recent years, an increasing number of persons with disabilities have opted to live in residential care facilities. These settings are another option for people in need of specialised care, the facilities provide housing; meals and activities such as field trips, sports activities, and transportation services to medical appointments, shopping and entertainment activities.
The provincial Department of Social Development currently provides funding to 39 residential care facilities that offer specialised care options for 1673 persons with disabilities. 5 Facilities of the 39 funded residential facilities provide specialised care for children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities. Click on the links below to find Care Facilities near you, or visit our Search Facility to find out more.
References
