Home-Based Care

Thembalethu Trust Care-givers visit patients suffering with Aids, in their homes in the Nomathamsanqa Township in Addo, on a weekly basis. This number is determined by the TrustÕs budget: when a patient dies a patient from the waiting list is brought onto the support program. During the last 4 years hundreds of patients have been reached; of whom more than 50% have died of Aids. During these visits the Home-Based Care team distributes nutritional supplements (vitamin-fortified porridge, vegetables, citrus, rice, vitamins etc.); and offers prayer, counseling and support on a full-time basis to the patients and their families. These visits occur on a one-to-one basis as required.

The Caregivers assist families with basic nursing of the patients; application of social grants, visits to the local clinic for blood tests or funeral arrangements. The Caregivers are in regular contact with the Nursing Sisters at the local clinic and a positive relationship between the Thembalethu Trust and the Municipal Clinic has been maintained since the project began in 2004.