Mount Edg E co M b E Villag E car E c E ntr E

Situated in the Mount Edgecombe Village, the Mount Edgecombe Village Care Centre draws on the Blue Zone factors for health and well-being to design a care centre that incorporates natural light, calming colour and comfortable social spaces into its design, and a varied and healthy menu for residents.

Presently, South Africans 60 years or older amount to approximately 4.2 million people. In 2050, this figure will rise to 10 million people. Over 60s are increasing, which means that they need age-friendly environments to ensure quality of life, health, and social well-being.

Dan Buettner identified areas around the globe, referred to as ‘Blue Zones’, where people live to 100, and the reasons why. These Blue Zones include Ikaria in Greece, Sardinia in Italy and Okinawa in Japan. They identified nine denominators that contribute to the longevity of these centenarians: move naturally, have a purpose, downshift, eat until you are 80% full, eat more plants, drink some wine, belong to a community, enjoy family and social interaction. By applying these principles at TOTALCARE, we aim to create a healthy environment with a safe and caring community to ensure happy longevity for our residents.

TOTALCARE Founder and Director Cornel Nieuwenhuizen explains, “Our philosophy is linked to the Blue Zones approach that identifies factors for healthy ageing, and one key factor is social interaction with your community. When we begin conceptualising a care centre, we marry practicality, regional context, the emotional impact of space, and ways to foster greater community interaction.”

With a deliberate move away from the typical ‘old age homes’, and with fostering social interaction central to the design of the Mount Edgecombe Village Care Centre, social spaces and rest areas are thoughtfully designed and positioned.

The Mount Edgecombe Village Care Centre is proactive about the physical safety of residents with spaces cleverly designed to minimise the use of steps and no loose carpets or rugs are used as they present a tripping hazard. Soft-edged furniture is used, and hard structural elements have a soft finish. Furniture below hip level, like coffee tables, is replaced with ottomans in soft materials to make movement through a space less hazardous. Furniture is specifically designed for the comfort of elderly residents. Chairs are sturdy to provide adequate physical support, and seating is not too deep and low in consideration of residents with compromised mobility. The communal social and rest areas at the Mount Edgecombe Village Care Centre have been designed to invite natural light in through glass doors and windows while covered patios also provide the opportunity for residents to sit outside. TOTALCARE offers the comfort and sophistication of a hotel, with the care and attention of private, specialised nursing. We implement a preventative strategy where the resident remains healthy through care, nutrition, and social interaction. We believe in a caring community to ensure happy longevity.

The Mount Edgecombe Village Care Centre adopts a holistic approach to well-being that covers both the practical and intangible aspects that make a care centre inviting for the elderly. Being part of a safe residential area with access to social, physical and mental activities may establish a sense of belonging. The synergy between the Care Centre and village is an important and beneficial attribute that encourages multi-generational living and ensures interdependence between residents.

The Care Centre is the heartbeat of the village and as Jonathan Shutte, our facility manager, rightly acknowledges: “We dedicate the success of our excellent service delivery to our passionate staff. None of what we do would be possible without them. In four short years, we have grown a team of experienced leaders who are pioneering the way in elderly care in KZN. ’’

We currently manage eight frail care and assisted living facilities in South Africa where we provide the needed functions to enhance the resident’s health through comprehensive service delivery including holistic, multidisciplinary care, medication administration, acts of daily living assistance, security, nutritious meals, housekeeping, social interaction, and peace of mind. Through observation, engagement, and implementation we can meet individual needs that range from enhancing a resident’s lifestyle to ensuring peace of mind for the loved ones.

In conclusion, we borrow the words of Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner: “To make it to age 100, you have to have won the genetic lottery. But most of us have the capacity to make it well into our early 90s and largely without chronic disease. The average person’s life expectancy could increase by 10 to 12 years by adopting a Blue Zones lifestyle.’’