Here to help you!

TAFTA (The Association for the Aged) is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO 002093) dedicated to the alleviation of distress and the promotion of the welfare and happiness of aged person living in the Durban area. Click here for a full list of the areas we serve.

If you are over 60 and in need of help – with anything from applying for a State pension to accommodation or advice about services and facilities for the aged – please contact us on 031 332-3721.

We make no charge for any Social Work consultation or visit, and if we can't help you ourselves, we can put you in touch with other people and organisations who can!

It is our policy to do the greatest possible good for the greatest possible number of people, with no thought of who deserves help, but only of who needs help.

We encourage the elderly to live as independent members of the community in their own homes for as long as possible – and provide a number of support services to the elderly and their families in order to achieve this goal.

These services include:

• Home Based Care
• Meals on Wheels
• Laundry scheme
• Hire of assistive devices, e.g. wheelchairs, walkers, etc.
• Respite care
• Service centres (meals, activities and companionship)
• Support groups (for victims of stroke, Alzheimer's, etc.)
• Social Work services and advice
• Advisory clinics (blood pressure testing, dressings, injections, glucose monitoring, etc)
• Education and awareness of issues affecting the aged

Because we make no charge for Social Work services, and payment for most other services is on a sliding scale according to income, we rely heavily on support from the community including:

• Financial contributions from local businesses and individuals
• Gifts in kind from the corporate sector
• Unwanted clothing, bed linen, furniture, etc for sale in our second hand shop
• Volunteers
• Bequests

Social work services

Our qualified and registered social workers are trained and equipped to advise you and your family on a variety of issues related to the aged.

If you are not able to come into our offices yourself, please telephone 031 332-3721 and ask for the Intake Social Worker, who will arrange for one of the social workers to visit you at home. When you have discussed your needs and requirements, your social worker will assist in one or more of the following ways:

1. Give you confidential guidance and counsel on any difficulties you may be experiencing.
2. Offer you assistance and advice on budgeting and management of finances.
3. Provide material help (in special circumstances) in the form of clothing, blankets, food parcels and essential household items. Charges are on a sliding scale according to income.
4. Inform you about the variety of accommodation available to the aged in and around Durban, including frail care and assisted living.
5. Arrange various services to help alleviate loneliness – in some cases a weekly telephone call or perhaps a volunteer to call on a friendly visit.
6. Inform you of TAFTA's service centres, social clubs and support groups.
7. Refer you to the Home Based Care Service and/or Meals on Wheels.
8. Refer you to other organisations and persons in Durban for assistance.

There is no charge for this consultation/visit.

Advisory Clinics

TAFTA runs clinics at some of its homes once a week. During this time, a nursing sister is available to test blood sugar levels and blood pressure, change dressings, remove sutures and administer medication.

She can also advise clients on the treatment for some of the ailments they may be suffering from. If further medical attention is necessary, she will refer the patient to the appropriate facility.

Laundry service

A laundry service is provided for those with no means of laundering bed linen. TAFTA will supply a change of sheets, pillow cases and towels, weekly.

A nominal charge is made for this service, assessed according to income.

Education & awareness

We offer a range of programmes, such as pre-retirement seminars, financial planning, information about the ageing process, elder abuse, skills training, caring for patients after a stroke and those with Alzheimer's disease.

For more information, kindly contact the social agency Intake on 031 332-3721.

Respite Care

TAFTA has two special care units designed for elderly people who need short term care and rehabilitation after an operation or during an illness.

The units are also available to offer respite to care-givers. For more information, please contact Intake on 031 332-3721.