SHAWCO comes to aid of Kensington seniors

FOLLOWING the assault on one of Kensington's senior citizens at the area's pension payout, located at the SHAWCO Centre, the outraged group organised a mass meeting with the SHAWCO Kensington Centre Manager, Anwar Parker, to address the issues of abuse and neglect that many of them have to face.

The meeting was attended by about 300 seniors from various clubs and organisations in the area, as well as representatives from the South African Police and HEAL (Helpline against elder abuse). SHAWCO occupational therapist Hanske Flieringa was among those who addressed the meeting, noting that SHAWCO had decided to change the name of its Seniors Clubs to Adult Day Care Clubs.

This decision was made because of the increasing number of people with disabilities, but who are not necessarily senior citizens, joining the clubs because of lack of facilities for disabled people. The clubs are open to anyone from the community who receives either an old age pension or a disability grant.

The meeting closed with a promise from both the SAPS and the newly formed Metro Police to provide more security on pension payout days, and to work more closely with the seniors and the disabled to ensure their safety and well-being.

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