Care for the Elderly
Mile Stones
The Network has gone through the process of Registration as a Non- Governmental Organization, (NGO) and it has received the Certificate of Registration and a Permit to operate as a recognized indigenous NGO in Uganda.
The Network has been able to train the Care-givers in different Basic Skills and empowered them to give good care to the elderly and infirm sisters in their respective Institutes.
Sr. Goretti Namutebi – IHMR
Project Coordinator – SLECN
Sr Nassali Martha – GSS
Wellness Coordinator – SLECN
Sr. Justine Nantongo – IHMR
Project Accountant- SLECN
History
Sister-Led Elderly Care Network (SLECN) came into existence after research that was conducted by the Centre for Research in Religious Life and Apostolate – CERRA- Africa on ‘Hospitality and Care for the elderly sisters in Uganda’. The baseline Survey was carried out in 70 Religious Institute in Uganda.
Because of the identified challenge of increasing numbers of elderly in the religious Institutes, and how best to care for them, an urgent solution was sought to be done jointly to cub this situation. The findings were presented by ARU to Hilton Foundation seeking for support for an initiative of caring for the elderly and infirm religious sisters.
The Conrad Hilton Foundation agreed to provide Funds for Two (2) years, to have an Initiative to care for the Elderly formed. The Superiors General during their assembly, selected 20 Institutes out of the 70, to be on a Pilot project as the first beneficiaries for the Network, these included both the indigenous Institutes and the International Institutes registered under ARU. The number of the member Institutes on the Network is currently 18 Religious Institutes. The target was to help at least 500 Elderly and Infirm sisters from these Institutes. It was realized that even from the 18 institutes on the pilot project the number far exceeded the 500 that was anticipated and the actual number was 814!
The Network started in May 2023 after approval of the Grant application by Hilton Foundation, to run for 2 years, (2023 -2025). After the 2 years in existence. Hilton has granted the network an extension of support for another 2 years from 2025 to 2027
Purpose of SLECN
To create and network 20 Sister-Led Elderly Care Facilities in Uganda, to Support sisters’ spiritual and psychosocial wellness, and strengthen service delivery for 500 elderly and infirm sisters.
Achievements
Improvement in the Health – of the Infirm and Elderly sisters in our respective communities, through proper medication and improved diet. At least a good number of the sisters are active and able to participate in the community activities.
Orchards and Vegetable gardens: Many of the Elderly and infirm are happy because of improved and provision of a balanced diet, where supplements can be obtained from the gardens
Training of the Care Givers: the care givers from the 18 Institutes received basic skills to relieve them of some of rigorous activities. This was done through acquiring better skills and simple physio exercises which they could pass to their elderly and infirm sisters.
Purchase of Medical and supportive equipment; this was also a relief to the elderly, because they can support themselves and mobility has been improved for many.
Some funds were sent for the homes of the elderly and used for purchasing medicine, medical equipment, medical beds, wheel chairs, walkers, food supplements, renovations and construction of rails, ramps, steam bath, incinerator, beddings and dippers and setting up of orchards, among others.
The care-givers from the 18 different institutes were trained in different areas of caring for the elderly and infirm members. The topics covered in the first phase included:
1. Bedside nursing and medical care
2. care-giver stress management
3. Pastoral care for the elderly
4. Emergency care and first aid
5. Nutrition and Diet
6. Self-awareness/acceptance and traumatic injuries
Our Impact
- With the services and support received through this Network, there has been improvement in the general health of the elderly and infirm sisters of the different Institutes.
- There is improvement in mobility of the elderly, because of the support received and ability to purchase supportive gargets such as walking sticks; wheelchairs; walkers, and construction of rails and ramps etc, which has made the movements of the elderly more easy.
- Because of improvement in the diet and proper medication, many of the elderly and infirm sisters are now able actively participate in the community activities, because they can move around. And further still the mortality rate has reduced among the elderly and infirm sisters.