Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

It’s a proven fact that people that fit into society are healthier, physically and mentally. To be seen as fitting in, you need to comply to your surroundings socially, economically and morally. When this changes due to social decline your health is destined to suffer. To understand the context one must first understand what exactly defines social decline? Social decline or moral decline is typically characterized as reduced adherence to cultural or social norms or values and widespread lapses in ethical behavior. Specifically to the Western Cape this includes but is not limited to substance abuse, teenage pregnancies, HIV, violence, non-compliance to managing non communicable diseases which of course is either due to poverty, unemployment, unhealthy living conditions and single families or the cause thereof. To live in the above scenario automatically creates a social injustice on their health and life expectancy, but focusing on this rather than trying to improve the public health system, will dramatically improve both. The focus on primary health care in South Africa is tremendous, but often only given at clinic or hospital level. To really make an impact we have to go to core level and that is educating the parents and caregivers of our next generation. There needs to be an incentive in it for them, otherwise why should they change? Want to know how?

Biography

Sr Lee Boorman has 30 year experience in the Holistic Management of not just the elderly but the entire spectrum of design, building, managing and maintaining 287 hospital beds caring for the elderly as well as focusing on the emotional, physical and psychological well-being of 1000 assisted living retirees spread over 6 retirement villages belonging to the Faircape group in Cape Town, South Africa. Her passion for advocacy for the elderly and those who cannot speak for themselves motivate her daily to improve and seek to offer better, faster more convenient care to all her residents.

E-mail: nursingmanager@faircape.co.za