FROM THE DESK OF THE HEALTHCARE MANAGER
Dear Residents, Families, and Friends,
On behalf of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) at Faircape Health Clé du Cap, thank you for your continued support, trust, and engagement. We remain committed to delivering excellent, compassionate care at all times.
This quarter has been one of change and new beginnings. I am honoured to have joined as the new Healthcare Manager for the South and have enjoyed getting to know this special facility and its remarkable residents. We also welcomed Dr. Victoria Norman, our new Group Healthcare Manager who brings invaluable experience and compassion to her role.
Our clinical team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and carers remain central to resident care, as do our non-clinical teams who continue to create a safe, welcoming environment for all.
In recent months, we have strengthened our services by investing in staff development, with some team members attending the World Health Conference. We have also upgraded our facilities, including a refreshed physiotherapy space with an in-house gym and dedicated physiotherapist.
As we approach the final months of the year and the festive season, we are proud of our team’s dedication and remain committed to providing a safe, supportive, and joyful environment for all who call Clé du Cap home.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
MEET DR MARLOUISE STEENKAMP
We are pleased to welcome Dr Marlouise Steenkam as the new Long-Term and Frail Care Physician at Faircape Life Clé Du Cap, Noordhoek and Tokai Estate. Dr Steenkamp is an experienced General Practitioner and holds a certificate in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, ASCI and ECG.
She is passionate about preventative medicine, has extensive experience in primary care and general practice, and is currently completing her Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Medicine.
Email: TokaiDoctor3@faircapemedical.co.za
Leanne Dixon Healthcare Manager hcmanagersouth@faircapehealth.co.za
THE HEALING POWER OF PET THERAPY IN GERIATRIC CARE MEET YOUR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TEAM AT CLÉ DU CAP
At Faircape Health, we are always exploring meaningful ways to enrich the lives of our residents and to promote holistic well-being. One of the most powerful and heartwarming interventions we see in action is pet therapy.
Animals have a unique ability to evoke joy and comfort. They offer companionship and measurable therapeutic benefits that support emotional, cognitive, and social health. The simple act of stroking a dog or feeling a cat purr can lower stress levels, reduce agitation, and foster a sense of connection.
Animals naturally draw people together, and group pet therapy sessions often lead to increased interaction among residents, helping to reduce feelings of isolation. Interacting with pets also stimulates memory and communication. Residents often reminisce about their own pets, sharing stories that strengthen social bonds with peers and staff.
At Faircape Health, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of pet therapy. Shared experiences around animals create opportunities for new friendships and strengthen the sense of community within our healthcare centre.
THE JOY OF SCENIC DRIVES & OUTINGS
For many residents in long-term healthcare, life is lived within the familiar walls of the centre. While this environment provides comfort, safety, and care, it can also limit opportunities to engage with the outside world.
Scenic drives and outings are an essential part of holistic care, offering residents a chance to reconnect with nature, community, and the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
A simple drive through beautiful landscapes or a visit to a local landmark can provide profound therapeutic benefits. The changing scenery stimulates the senses and offers visual variety that breaks the monotony of daily routine. Residents are often reminded of familiar places, which can spark conversation, memory recall, and storytelling, which are valuable tools in maintaining cognitive health and strengthening social bonds with staff and fellow passengers.
Outings also provide a sense of freedom and independence that many residents miss. From an occupational therapy perspective, scenic drives and outings are a valuable extension of therapeutic engagement. They provide sensory stimulation, emotional enrichment, and opportunities for meaningful participation in life outside the healthcare environment.
FINDING MEANING THROUGH THERAPEUTIC GROUPS
At Faircape Health, we believe that wellness in later life is about more than just physical care. It is about creating opportunities for residents to participate in meaningful, engaging activities that bring joy, purpose, and connection.
Therapeutic group activities such as baking, gardening, arts and crafts, and music sessions play a central role in achieving this goal. These groups are carefully designed to promote cognitive stimulation, emotional well-being, and social interaction, while also maintaining valuable daily life skills.
Therapeutic groups also encourage social connection, laughter, and conversation. Residents often share skills, stories, and encouragement, creating an atmosphere of mutual support. This sense of togetherness is particularly important for combating loneliness and isolation, and it allows individuals to feel part of something larger than themselves.
From an occupational therapy perspective, these groups represent crucial opportunities for occupational engagement and the participation in meaningful activities that enhance health and quality of life. By offering structured yet enjoyable activities, we not only support cognitive and emotional wellbeing but also provide residents with a sense of purpose, achievement, and joy in their daily routines.
At Faircape Health, we have seen how these therapeutic groups enrich the lives of our residents. They remind us that small, everyday activities can hold great power in creating moments of connection, meaning, and happiness.
ALL THINGS NURSING
The Importance of Teamwork in Nursing
Teamwork in nursing is the foundation of high-quality, patient-centered care. When we work together, we not only create a safer environment for our residents, but we also enhance job satisfaction and strengthen the bonds within our nursing community.
At Clé du Cap, we embrace teamwork because it allows us to care for our residents holistically. Our shared vision is clear, and includes the safety and well-being of our patients, which always comes first. This goal can only be achieved through open, decisive communication and by recognising the collective efforts of the entire team rather than singling out individuals.
Monthly staff events give our nurses the chance to showcase their creativity and fresh ideas. These gatherings are opportunities to remind ourselves that we are stronger together.
Our motto is “making it better, together”. Through staff recognition and engagement programmes, we are building a culture where every team member feels valued, respected, and part of a collective success story.
Our wellness programmes at Clé du Cap continue to bring joy, unity, and balance to our team. These activities not only promote physical health, but also nurture emotional and mental wellbeing. Most importantly, they create moments of fun and laughter, reminding us that a positive working environment is key to excellent patient care.
A Word of Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to HR and our Nursing Head, Sr Karin, for their dedication to staff wellness, recognition, and engagement programmes. Your efforts make it possible for our nursing team to thrive, together.
With gratitude, Sr Cresenda
NEWS FROM OUR SOCIAL WORKERS
HAVE YOU GOT THE NEW MY ESTATE LIFE APP?
If you haven’t already, download our exciting new Faircape Life App, your all-in-one connection to life at Clé Du Cap.
Whether you’re booking housekeeping, or checking out our latest menus, it has everything you need right at your fingertips.
To download:
• Search for ‘My Estate Life’ in your phone’s App store and click install.
• Create your account (add your personal details, set your password, and confirm your email address)
• Enter the Estate Identifier (FAACCE2BF3) to request approval by the Village Manager
Growing, Learning, and Supporting: The Heart of Social Work at Faircape
Our social work department has been hard at work upskilling, diving into new knowledge and honing their skills in some of the most sensitive and important areas of care.
Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve been up to:
• All our social workers completed a short course in palliative care presented by the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC).
• Liesl de Kock added another feather to her cap by completing Oncology Training for Social Workers with the inspiring Linda Greeff.
• Angelique Oosthuizen, Rebekah Delsouiller, Sherae Swart, and Juanee Pretorius bravely tackled the difficult topic of suicide assessment and intervention in a workshop led by Belinda from Wisemind.
• We also got our thinking caps on during capacity assessment training with Suzaan Jenkinson, an experienced UK-trained Best Interest Assessor.
• On the self-study front, we explored the world of art therapies to support healthy aging and brushed up on how to recognise and respond to anxiety symptoms in older adults.
While we love our training sessions and workshops, our greatest teachers are, and always will be, our residents. Many of the people we work with are two generations older than us, and while we bring the theory, they bring the wisdom, humour, resilience, and life lessons that no course can teach.
By Juanee Pretorius, Group Social Work Manager.
PERSEVERING WITH GRACE
As the days grow longer and the warmth of spring begins to unfold, there’s a sense of quiet renewal in the air. Yet, even as the world outside starts to wake up, many of us are feeling the weight of a long year.
We’re in the final quarter, and while spring often brings the promise of new beginnings, it can also remind us just how much we’ve already carried. Each season brings its own challenges, and by the time we reach this point in the year, it’s completely natural to feel tired, emotionally, mentally, and physically.
You may have faced hard decisions. You may have juggled care, work, and family, as well as your own needs. You may have smiled through exhaustion, or cried in the quiet of the night.
All of that is real and valid, and through it all, you’ve persevered and kept going.
This last part of the year is a good time to ask yourself how you really are, what you need right now and whether you are making time to rest.
Recent research reminds us that perseverance is a skill that grows with practice. It’s not about pushing harder every moment but learning to nurture yourself emotionally, even when things are tough. When negative feelings arise, they can make us want to give up but finding ways to invite in positive emotions, whether it’s through a quiet walk, a moment of prayer, or simply breathing in the fresh spring air, can strengthen your ability to keep going. Perseverance doesn’t always look like pushing harder. Sometimes, it looks like asking for help or acknowledging that something is enough.
This is the kind of strength that doesn’t shout, but whispers. It doesn’t seek attention, but deserves deep respect. To every individual navigating life’s changes, and to every family caring for someone with Dementia; may this season offer you the same compassion you so freely give to others.
Despite this, you are still here, showing up and still loving, and that, more than anything, is the true meaning of perseverance.
By Sherae Swart, Faircape Social Worker
Dementia Support Group
For Families & Loved Ones
This group offers a supportive space to share experiences, ideas, and strategies for navigating life with a loved one who has dementia. We aim to enhance your understanding of dementia, explore effective coping approaches, and foster meaningful connections with others facing similar challenges.
Session Dates
Friday 18 July th Friday 15 August th Friday 19 September th Friday 17 October th Friday 1 November st
How do I sign up for this group?
