The Gerald Fitzpatrick House and Nursing Home in the declining suburb of Bertrams is battling financially to keep its doors open.
Johannesburg - One of Joburg’s oldest retirement homes for destitute women in the declining suburb of Bertrams, is battling financially to keep its doors open.
The Gerald Fitzpatrick House and Nursing Home is a haven to 80 elderly women who have nowhere else to go. Many have been abandoned by their families and are either destitute or only get a state pension, and/or are too ill to take care of themselves.
Many eventually end up in the home’s frail care centre, where costs to the home are exorbitant as it operates as a full hospital.
Those who have a state pension, pay pro rata to their income. Some are in what they call “independent living” rooms with shared bathrooms and are able to take care of themselves.
The home was founded in 1925 by the Womens’ Civic Benevolent Society for females of limited means in the aftermath of the Great War of 1914-18.
The first premises were rented and consisted of disused, corrugated iron quarters on the Old Village Deep mine where 26 women were housed.
In 1933, Bessie Fitzpatrick, wife of Gerald, a mining magnate, donated her then-luxury Bertrams home to the society as a memorial to her husband, on condition it be kept as a home for destitute women.
Additional annexes were added over the years to meet demands created by the Great Depression which left many widows without income.
The 39 independent residents do their own cooking, shopping and laundry. There are seven assisted living and 40 in frail care.
The home, besides full medical facilities, has a gym, games room, and arts and crafts rooms. Those who are able to, volunteer around the home and work in their shop which sells jumble, household goods, arts and crafts and any excess donated food.
Nicole van Eeden, fundraiser, says the home is a haven for the elderly giving them dignity, in the middle of a very needy community.
“We work with the neighbouring community, which are mainly foreign nationals, and have been accepted as part of it. We assist where we can and share donations in some cases. Our residents also do some knitting in winter for the needy in the area.
“Any usable goods, including pots with one handle and chipped glasses and cups are accepted. To those that have nothing, these are valuable items. We would take anything that people are throwing out. We have to raise funds to fill the ever-growing gap between subsidies and the needs of the home,” she said.
Anyone wanting to donate can call 0116143237 or drop the goods off at 48 Berea Road, corner Queens Street, Bertrams. Goods can also be collected if within a reasonable distance.
The Star