Faircape Health Institute
HERITAGE MANOR NEWSLETTER September 2026
FROM THE DESK OF THE HEALTHCARE MANAGER Dear Residents, Families and Friends, As we move through another busy quarter at Heritage Manor, I wanted to reflect on some of what has been happening within our healthcare community and on the many people who contribute to the care and daily lives of our residents. There is always a great deal taking place behind the scenes. While families may see the activities and celebrations, there is an equally important layer of work happening every day between our nursing and care teams, Doctors, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Pharmacy and the wider Interdisciplinary Team. Over the past few months, our residents have enjoyed a wonderful variety of activities and special occasions, including Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations, outings, exercise groups and creative activities. These moments matter. Quality of life, meaningful relationships, dignity and maintaining independence are every bit as important as clinical care. Communication with families remains central to good care. You know your loved one in a way no healthcare
team ever fully can, and the insight you share with us is invaluable. Our Social Worker, Angelique Oosthuizen, continues to facilitate the monthly Dementia Support Group, meeting in the Heritage Manor Boardroom from 10:00 to 11:30. Families are welcome to contact Angelique directly. While Carmen is on maternity leave, we are grateful to have Shivani Naidoo joining the team in her place. We are also fortunate to have Lizel, our Activity Assistant, whose role goes far beyond keeping people busy. Thank you for your trust, and for being part of the Heritage Manor community. Warm regards,
Dané Nagel Healthcare Manager | Somerset West Director of Faircape Health Institute hcmanagernorth@faircapehealth.co.za
NEWS FROM OUR DOCTORS In older adults, illness doesn’t always present in the way we expect. A significant infection may not necessarily cause a high fever, and dehydration may first appear as tiredness, dizziness or confusion rather than thirst. Often, the first sign that something is wrong is simply that a person is “not quite themselves”. These symptoms don’t always mean that something serious is wrong. However, noticing them early gives us an opportunity to assess the situation before a relatively small problem becomes a bigger one. Hydration and nutrition matter more than most people realise As we get older, our sense of thirst can become less reliable. Some people may also deliberately drink less because they are worried about needing the bathroom frequently. Unfortunately, inadequate fluid intake can contribute to low blood pressure, constipation, confusion, urinary problems and impaired kidney function. A sudden reduction in appetite can sometimes be an early sign of illness. Adequate nutrition, particularly sufficient protein, helps maintain muscle strength, supports recovery and allows residents to participate more fully in daily activities and rehabilitation.
Changes in function are worth paying attention to: If someone who normally walks to the dining room suddenly needs considerably more assistance, struggles to get out of a chair, or stops participating in activities they usually enjoy, we want to know why. A change in function can sometimes tell us more than a single blood pressure or temperature reading. Families play an important role You know your loved ones well and may notice subtle changes in personality, energy or behaviour before they are obvious to anyone else. Please feel comfortable mentioning these observations to the nursing or medical team. Good care is often not about one dramatic intervention, but rather about noticing the small things: eating a little less, drinking less, walking more slowly, becoming more tired or simply seeming different from usual. Those small observations can make a significant difference.
Dr Nicole Jacka Faircape Health Institute Doctor (GP) northdoctor@faircapemedical.co.za
A NOTE ON OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY As we pass the halfway mark of 2026, I wanted to share a small but important update regarding our Occupational Therapy team. Many of you will already know that our wonderful OT, Carmen, welcomed her baby earlier this year and has been on maternity leave since June. We are delighted for her, and she will be back with us in October. In the meantime, our OT programme continues as normal, and the equally wonderful Liezl Goliath remains very much a familiar and present part of daily life here at Heritage Manor. I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Shivani Naidoo, and I’m stepping in as Locum OT during Carmen’s leave. I graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2024 and completed my community service in Gauteng in 2025. My passion for working with older adults
Shivani Naidoo Occupational Therapist heritageot@faircapehealth.co.za
is not something that developed in a lecture hall. It began much earlier, through volunteering at residential homes and organising charity initiatives during my high school years in Durbanville. It has been part of who I am for a long time, and I feel so privileged to be here. Outside of work, you’ll find me crocheting, baking, or out on a run. This is a combination that keeps me happily balanced between the creative, the domestic, and the outdoors. I am very much looking forward to getting to know each of you over the coming months, and to building the kind of warm, trusting relationships that make this work so meaningful. Please feel free to reach out at any time.
CELEBRATING MOTHER’S DAY This Mother’s Day, we took the opportunity to honour and celebrate the wonderful mothers, grandmothers, and special women in our healthcare facility with a morning filled with creativity, joy, and togetherness. The residents embraced the opportunity to bake delicious mug cakes and create beautiful flower arrangements. The activities sparked a wonderful sense of accomplishment as everyone added their own personal touch to their creations. Thank you to all the incredible women we were privileged to celebrate. Your resilience, kindness, and unwavering love continue to inspire us, and we are grateful to have shared this memorable Mother’s Day with you.
CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY We celebrated the gentlemen in our healthcare facility this Father’s Day and showed our appreciation for the important roles they have played as fathers, grandfathers, mentors, friends, and role models. We hosted a small gathering at the village just for them. The morning was filled with laughter and conversation as the gentlemen enjoyed delicious snacks and a refreshing beer tasting. To round off the celebration, everyone took part in a fun and interactive pool noodle ball game around the table, which sparked plenty of laughs and friendly competition. What a privilege to honour these remarkable gentlemen and thank them for the wisdom, kindness, and strength they bring to our home every day.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE QUARTER Our vibrant community has been buzzing with energy as residents dived into a spectacular array of activities, adventurous outings, and heartwarming celebrations. This past quarter was all about fostering deep connections, sparking creativity, and, most importantly, having an absolute blast! During Easter, the residents showcased their artistic talents by painting our Easter banner. This masterpiece infused the entire facility with a radiant, festive spirit that brought smiles to every face that passed by. May was a month of adventure and wonder! We set off on an exhilarating excursion to the Cheetah Park, where residents came face-to-face with South Africa’s magnificent wildlife. The excitement continued with a sophisticated visit to the Imibala Cafe. Surrounded by stunning fine art, everyone soaked in the elegant atmosphere while enjoying gourmet treats and delightful conversation in a setting that was truly world-class. While the quarter was full of high-energy fun, we also shared a deeply moving milestone as we bid farewell to the beloved Mrs Cooke. To honour her transition to a new care facility, we hosted a classic afternoon tea. We celebrated the wonderful legacy of friendship she leaves behind and wished her the very best on her new chapter. Our daily life remains as dynamic as ever! Our creative arts sessions continue to push boundaries, while our scenic drives offer breathtaking views and fresh perspectives. We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm in our exercise and well-being sessions, and you haven’t seen competitive spirit until you’ve joined one of our legendary weekly bowling and bingo sessions! Beyond the games, our reminiscence and sensory groups have become a vital space for sharing life’s rich stories and solidifying the bonds of our wonderful community. We’re already buzzing with plans for the next few months. Get ready for even more laughter, discovery, and unforgettable memories as we continue to celebrate life together!
FROM THE NURSING TEAM When you visit a loved one in our care, you see a snapshot – an hour, perhaps two. What you might wonder, quite naturally, is what happens in all the time in between. The honest answer is: quite a lot. We notice the small things Nursing care is, of course, about medication, observations, wound care and responding when someone becomes unwell. But in long-term care, some of the most important work happens in the patterns and rhythms that build up over days and weeks of knowing someone. We know who finishes every meal, who needs a gentle nudge to drink enough water, who walks with confidence in the morning but tires as the day goes on, and who would never willingly miss an activity they love. These details matter because they help us notice when something shifts. In healthcare, a shift is often the first sign that something needs attention. Sometimes behaviour is the message
please tell us. You don’t need a medical explanation. Your instinct is valuable information, and we take it seriously. The same goes for the good days. If your loved one seems brighter, is eating better, mentions that their pain has eased or tells you about an activity they enjoyed, we want to hear that too. Every piece of the picture helps us care for them more fully. There is joy in this work too Healthcare is not solemn every minute of every day. There are jokes at the nurses’ station, residents who keep us thoroughly on our toes, birthday celebrations that brighten the whole ward, strong opinions about what should be on the lunch menu and no shortage of stories that stay with us long after a shift ends. The clinical side of nursing is essential, but knowing the person behind the diagnosis – their humour, preferences, history, and the things that make them feel like themselves – is just as important. In long-term care, that is the heart of our work.
Not every resident is able to tell us directly when something is wrong. A person may become restless because they are uncomfortable. A resident living with dementia may express pain, fear or frustration not through words but through the way they move, respond or withdraw. Our role, in those moments, is to ask a different kind of question: What might this person be trying to tell us? This sits closely alongside the work of our Social Work team, who remind us that what someone says – or doesn’t say – can reflect any number of things: pain, loneliness, confusion, a fear they cannot name, or simply a need to feel more in control. Good care means holding all of that with curiosity rather than assumption. You know your loved one better than anyone If you visit and something feels slightly off, like if Mum is not quite herself, or if Dad seems more withdrawn than usual,
Sr Karin Louwrens Director of Faircape Health Institute groupnsm@faircapehealth.co.za
FAIRCAPE HEALTH PHARMACY SOMERSET WEST Your Pharmacy Is Closer Than You Think
Christelle Erasmus Pharmacist at Faircape Health Pharmacy Somerset West pharmacist2@faircapehealth.co.za | (021) 815 5700 | Hazelden Drive, Heritage Manor, Somerset West
Located on-site at Faircape Health Institute Heritage Manor, Faircape Health Pharmacy Somerset West is a fully operational retail pharmacy open to healthcare residents, village residents, families, and the broader community.
WHAT WE OFFER • • • • • • •
Prescription transfers handled on your behalf Free home delivery within Heritage Manor and Bridgewater Manor Blister packing for safer, simpler medication management Chronic and acute medication dispensing Specialised product ordering Over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements Registered with all major medical aids
WHY THIS MATTERS Our pharmacy works directly alongside our nursing team and doctors. This means that medication changes, reviews, and queries are handled quickly, collaboratively, and within the same care environment. It’s a connected, coordinated approach that benefits every resident in our care. For village residents, medication can be delivered directly to your door. If you are visiting a loved one, you are also welcome to fill your own prescription while you are there.
COMMUNICATION, CONNECTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING UNDERSTOOD Communication is part of everything we do: through our words, facial expressions, body language, and perhaps most importantly, through listening. Communication isn’t only about what we say. It’s also about how our message is received and understood. Our experiences, beliefs, emotions and perspectives all influence the way we see the world, meaning the same message can be understood differently by two people. As we grow older, communication can become even more important. Changes in health, hearing, independence, or living circumstances can affect how we connect with others. Yet our need to feel seen, heard, and understood remains the same. Sometimes, We Need to Say What We Need Instead of expecting someone to simply know, we can try saying,
Angelique Oosthuizen Social Worker socialworker2@faircapehealth.co.za
Listen with Curiosity When we find ourselves interpreting someone’s behaviour negatively, we can pause and ask, “What are they trying to communicate?” A behaviour that seems difficult may sometimes be expressing fear, frustration, loneliness, or a need for greater independence. Pause Before You React When something upsets us, it can help to ask, “What else could this mean?” Perhaps there’s another explanation, or our own past experiences are influencing how we see the situation.
“This is what I need from you right now.”
Good communication doesn’t require perfection. Sometimes it simply means slowing down, listening carefully, and giving someone the benefit of the doubt.
Clear communication gives others the opportunity to respond in a way that is truly helpful.
When we feel heard, we feel connected – and connection is something we can all carry with us at every stage of life.
FAIRCAPE Health Institute
DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP For families with a loved one living with Dementia Heritage 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.
Dates for 2026 • • •
Wednesday 23 September, 10h00 - 12h00 Thursday 29 October, 10h00 - 12h00 Thursday 26 November, 10h00 - 12h00 (Final Group)
How do I sign up for this group? Send us an email today!
Angelique Oosthuizen: Heritage Manor Social Worker (socialworker2@faircapehealth.co.za) To join, email one of the facilitators who will confirm your attendance.
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Please do not hesitate to contact Faircape Health Institute Heritage Manor for more information: hmhcreception@faircapehealth.co.za or 021 851 4337 Hazelden Dr, Heritage Manor, Cape Town Stay In Touch | @FaircapeHealthInstitute
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