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Residents of Kensington Old Age Home enjoyed a wholesome meal and some fun in the pool, thanks to the Warobile Lifesaving Aquatics Academy in Maitland.
The academy hosted about 30 residents on Wednesday 9 March at the swimming pool based at Holy Cross High School in Maitland.
The academy was established in 2015 following the drowning of two teenagers (“Coach ready to dive in”, People’s Post, 18 May 2021).
Keith Abrahams, academy founder, said: “We invited them for a brunch and to get them into the water for some water therapy. We are opening up the pool to as many people as we can to learn to swim, and to teach the public about life skills.”
According to Abrahams the aim was to make the elderly feel loved.
“When you are cooped up in an old-age home year in and year out it’s not nice for them.
“It’s therapeutic when you get out there and just feel a difference. I just want to make a difference to the aged.”
He says they hope to do this more often.
“This will be an ongoing thing, it won’t stop here. We always have to think about the aged because we will all reach that age if God allows it. I want to see who can swim and who can’t so that I can urge them to get into the water and feel the serenity. Water is nice therapy for them.”
Abrahams says it’s important that everyone knows about water safety.
Charles Blows (85) said it felt good to be out. “The atmosphere is lovely. I grew up in the area, so being here at the pool brings back fond childhood memories. I remember playing soccer on the sports field and attending the bioscope.”
Hector Napier (78) pointed out it was his first time at the pool.
“I love being here at the pool; it’s better than being inside at the home. It is nice and serene. I am enjoying the koeksisters.”
Mary Michaels (80) said: “It is nice to get out sometimes; I am enjoying putting my feet into the water. It’s almost like you are out in the world again. If I knew I was allowed to swim, I would have put on my bather.”
Helen Louis, arts and crafts facilitator at the home, said: “Our residents were extremely excited since they found out we are coming here. They can enjoy themselves and put their feet into the water and do some exercise. We just want them to enjoy themselves.”
She said because some residents are frail and wheelchair bound they could not all attend.
“At the home we play cards, dominoes, games, ball games, and we go for walks. We do a lot of activities with them.”
Abrahams says the academy is fully reliant on donations and adds that chemicals, to keep the pool clean, costs about R2 500 per week.
“As a pensioner I get a Sassa (South African Social Security Agency) grant per month, so I pour my money into this academy to make it work for us and to leave a legacy behind so somebody else can carry on with it.”
