By Staff Reporter
Mucheke Old People’s Home in Masvingo has sent a distress call as the elderly inmates are facing numerous challenges, ranging from bedding to food shortages.
The call was made by the home’s acting administrator, Florida Chijena, during a luncheon organized by local philanthropist Regina Munyamani. Chijena expressed concern about the old inmates sleeping on very old beds with thin mattresses and spring bases, which are not ideal for their needs.
She mentioned that the spring beds could easily yield to weight, forcing the elderly people to bend their backs while sleeping, which is not ideal for their age.
“The beds are very old, they have very thin mattresses and old model bases. They need strong bases that do not yield to weight as that affects their backs considering their ages. So we are appealing to the corporate world to help us on that regard,” said Chijena.
She went on to say that their rooms had no wardrobes or shelves to store their clothes, forcing them to hang clothes on lines or pack them in bags or sacks.
“They pack their clothes in bags and sacks because they do not have wardrobes or shelves to put clothes. They also need side tables or side shelves to put a plate of food if they are not willing to eat the moment they get it,” said Chijena.
She further mentioned challenges in providing relish, as well as shortages of staff, wheelchairs, and medication, among other things.
“In terms of food, our main challenge is relish and at times firewood which we mostly use for cooking their food. We also have a shortage of staff, and that affects us from giving them the maximum care they need.
“We also appeal for anyone who could help us to pave the ground here because during the rainy season, the ground gets wet and becomes slippery so the inmates would struggle to walk from their rooms to the dining hall. The pavement will also make it easy for those with wheelchairs to navigate,” she said.
Munyamani also urged the corporate world to come on board and assist the elderly at the old people’s home by providing medical care.
“There used to be a doctor who would come to see our grannies here but now he is no longer coming, maybe he has other commitments, so I appeal to doctors who can help to come on board and do regular checkups for the inmates.
“We have a family pharmacy which usually assists here with prescribed medication and I call upon other medical service providers to join,” she said.
