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  • Growing older







Make the most of your Golden Years




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TAFTA programmes and activities

Apart from a range of activities and entertainment offered at our various Wellness Centres, TAFTA events include:
  • Various sports
  • Annual Golden Games Sports Day
  • Annual swimming gala
  • Table tennis and bowls tournaments
  • Participation in annual golf day
  • Fun walks – annual TAFTA walk, SANZAF walk, Stroke walk, etc.


If you live outside TAFTA's area of operation

TAFTA operates predominately in the Durban Central area, extending from Wentworth in the south to Umhlanga in the north.
The Western boundaries are Newlands East and Hilary, and we have a community based development project in Amaoti, Inanda.
Other NGOs adopting a similar approach on active ageing are:
  • Age in Action
  • Durban Association for the Aged
  • Highway Aged
  • Issy Geshen Lamony Home for the Aged
  • Muthande Society for the Aged
  • PADCA

Active Ageing

Older people who are active, stimulated and involved in the community enjoy a better quality of life and suffer fewer age related illnesses. TAFTA promotes the concept of active ageing, both in the community and within our residences, by providing a number of programmes and activities designed to engage and inspire older people – physically, mentally and socially.

Active ageing is built on four pillars: health, participation, security and lifelong learning.

It starts with you

Active ageing means taking control of your life and spending it the way you want to. Ask yourself what you would like to be doing in your spare time and what is stopping you. How can you work around these barriers to enjoy the life you really want?

Be on the lookout for information and activities that might be of interest. Check out the "What's happening" section of the newspaper, the notice board at the library, supermarket or community centre, church newsletters, TAFTA newsletters and our website, which publicises upcoming events.

Take charge of your health

Physical health is critical to active ageing. It's never too late to start leading a healthy lifestyle. If you are overweight, make a determined effort to lose a few kilograms by following a healthy diet – go easy on the fats, processed foods and starch, eat more fresh fruit and veggies and drink plenty of water.

Keep moving – brisk walks, gentle strolls, slow jogs, cycling, swimming, dancing – as long as you are on the move, you'll feel better and your health will benefit.

Go for regular medical checkups, take your medication on time as prescribed by the doctor and behave responsibly, especially if you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Make friends

Human beings are not meant to be alone – we are social in nature. Make an effort to interact with more people. Don't be afraid to admit you are lonely – it's not a character flaw. Loneliness often comes with old age, especially if you have lost a friend or life partner. Try to find people with similar interests by joining a community group or club. This can be difficult if you are naturally shy, but you can start off by visiting a few places and talking to the people in charge. This will ensure you see at least one familiar face when you turn up for your first meeting.

Invite people into your life ... share your experiences openly with others.

Food for the soul

Often older people express a need for spiritual upliftment as they negotiate the challenges of ageing. Here are five ways to achieve this:

  • Gratitude – being grateful for what we have, what we do and who we are.
  • Generosity – giving back and helping others makes us feel happier and more content.
  • Reframing – ageing includes its share of losses and sorrows, but it's how we deal with these that makes all the difference. Every negative experience presents opportunities to learn or to take a new path.
  • Curiosity – we are never too old to learn new things ... about nature, about how things work, about ourselves. Being curious is what keeps us young at heart.
  • Flexibility – things change all the time for everyone. It's important not to get too stuck in our ways.
Above all, remember to laugh. When we laugh our bodies release endorphins into the blood stream, which makes us feel better. Laughing also lowers blood pressure and increases oxygen intake, which is linked to a decreased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Useful links

  • 5 ways to keep your brain young
    http://blog.neurotrack.com/5-ways-to-keep-your-brain-young/
  • What is Active Ageing? accrding to the World Health Organisation
    http://www.who.int/ageing/active_ageing/en/
  • 8 tips for active ageing
    http://www.livescience.com/35863-grow-old-gracefully-tips.html
  • Eating on a budget
    https://www.nestlewellness.co.za/healthy-eating-on-a-budget-fact-sheet/
  • Staying healthy as you age
    http://www.helpguide.org/articles/aging-well/staying-healthy-as-you-age.htm
  • Health benefits of laughter
    http://www.seniorhomes.com/p/humor-and-laughter-health-benefits-for-seniors-resources/

Join in these fun activities at TAFTA

Knitting & sewing

Golden Games sports day

Dinner dances

Showtime with the TAFTA Revellers

Arts & Crafts

Beachfront Fun Walk

Games of skill

Volunteering



Older people and technology

Getting social online

Maintaining friendships and social contact are an important part of Active Ageing, as is learning new things. According to a survey conducted by Philips in the USA, the benefits of having adequate social relationships have an effect on longevity comparable with quitting smoking and of greater benefit than avoiding obesity and lack of exercise.

Mastering modern technology and becoming comfortable using social media such as Facebook enables older people to connect with friends and family overseas in a simple, affordable and fun way.

According to reserach conducted by the PEW Research Center in America, internet usage among seniors reveals two distinct and different groups: younger, more highly educated or more affluent seniors own smartphones, tablets and computers and have a positive view of the benefits of online platforms ... while those who are older, less affluent, or have health or disability challenges are largely disconnected from the world of digital tools and services.

Barriers to internet usage

Some of the barriers to internet usage among the elderly include:
  • Physical challenges: Many seniors have physical conditions or health issues – failing eyesight, arthritic fingers, etc - that make it difficult for them to use smartphones and tablets
  • Skeptical attitudes: Older adults are divided on the whether or not the lack of access is a disadvantage. Some believe the internet makes life easier (online banking, shopping etc.) while others view it as a modern day evil, because it replaces personal interaction
  • Difficulties learning to use new technologies: The maority of older adults are not comfortable learning to use a new smartphone or tablet on their own, and need someone to help walk them through the process
However, once seniors join the online world, they use it regularly; about 75% go online every day or almost every day, and an additional 11% go online three to five times per week.



smart phone

"Some people are old at 18 and some are young at 90 ... time is a concept that humans created."
– Yoko Ono

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About us

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 of aged persons living in the Durban area.

Any person who is over 60 and in need of help – or any person who knows of an elderly person in need of help – should contact us. TAFTA cares.

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Keep in touch

+ 27 31 332 3721

The Association for the Aged

P O Box 2983
Durban 4000
South Africa
 info@tafta.org.za
pr@tafta.org.za


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