Pensioners Forum

18/06/2026

👉 Have you ever felt that an older person was spoken over, ignored, or left out of conversations?

We are asking these questions because the experiences of older people matter. The United Nations Human Rights Council is gathering real stories and experiences from around the world to better understand dignity, inclusion and everyday life for older persons, especially those living with memory challenges or dementia.

Pensioners Forum has been asked to contribute a South African perspective to this important conversation, so our local experiences are represented in this global discussion.

We will also be asking our 50+ community in our groups these same questions, but wanted to first hear what the wider public has to say.

There are no right or wrong answers — we simply want honest experiences from our community. Alzheimer's South Africa

18/06/2026

Let’s have a tough but important discussion: Estrangement

We hear it more and more these days — parents who say they’ve been cut off by their older children… often without any clear explanation.

Estrangement is one of those topics that sits quietly in many families, even when no one is talking about it. Behind every story, there are usually complex emotions — hurt, disappointment, misunderstanding, changing boundaries, or unresolved conflict on both sides.

But it also raises difficult questions:

How did we get here as families?
Are expectations between generations changing?
Do we talk enough about emotional boundaries and mental health in families?
And is reconciliation always possible… or sometimes not?

This is not about blame. It’s about understanding.

Some parents feel deep grief and confusion. Some adult children feel the need to protect their own wellbeing. And in many cases, the truth is far more layered than outsiders can see.

So let’s open the conversation gently and respectfully:
Have you experienced family estrangement, directly or indirectly? What do you think are the biggest reasons it happens today?

Let’s keep this space kind — this is a sensitive topic for many.

17/06/2026

📘 Not a sponsored “this changed my life in 3 days” post. Just something genuinely useful.

One of those adult things many of us keep pushing to the bottom of the pile:

"I really should sort out my will..."
"I need to understand estates..."
"I have no idea what an executor actually does..."

Then life happens, and somehow another six months goes by.

Our friends at Cape68 have released a new guide: "Understanding Wills, Estates & Executors: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide."

No confusing legal jargon. No 300-page document designed to make your eyes glaze over.

Just practical information, step-by-step guidance, worksheets and tools to help get things organised.

✔ Instant download
✔ Practical worksheets included
✔ Easy-to-follow format
✔ R129
✔ https://cape68.co.za/product/understanding-wills-estates-executors-a-comprehensive-step-by-step-guide/

Because sorting these things out is not really about paperwork. It is about making life easier for the people we love one day.

Question for our community 👇
Do you already have a will in place, or are you still in the "I keep meaning to get around to it" club?

17/06/2026

What do you think?

For many people, retirement was supposed to be the reward after decades of working hard. It was meant to bring a little peace, a little freedom, and a chance to slow down. Yet rising costs for housing, groceries, and healthcare can make those years feel tighter than expected. Some seniors still find themselves budgeting carefully every single month. That reality can make retirement feel less like a finish line and more like another financial balancing act. After a lifetime of contributing, many people simply want stability. Retirement should feel like security, not survival.

17/06/2026

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities.

It is not a normal part of ageing — and it affects each person differently.

In our Dementia Care Guide (written by Heike Oelbuttel), we break this down in a simple, practical way to help families better understand what is happening and how to respond with care and dignity.

💜 Available now in our Dementia Guide – created to support families, carers and communities. (Find this FREE guide here https://pensionersforum.co.za/product/dementia-care-in-south-africa-practical-guide/)

16/06/2026

💬 We recently asked our community:

"What meal could you eat over and over again and never get tired of?"

The answers were deliciously South African!

🍛 Curry was one of the clear favourites.

🥣 Soup came up again and again, especially homemade varieties.

🐟 Fish and seafood proved incredibly popular.

🍝 Spaghetti Bolognese had plenty of supporters.

And then there were the comfort-food classics:
🥜 Jam and peanut butter sandwiches
🥘 Stews
🍤 Prawns
🍲 Breyani
🥩 T-bone steak
🌮 Nachos

What stood out wasn't just the food itself.

Many of the answers were the meals that remind us of family gatherings, special occasions, favourite holidays, or recipes passed down through generations.

Sometimes the best meal isn't the fanciest one—it's the one that feels like home.

So tell us...

🍽️ If you could only choose ONE meal to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

15/06/2026

What Our Community Told Us About Dignity.

As part of our Dementia awareness campaign, we asked members of the Pensioners Forum community:

👉 What does dignity mean to you?

👉 What is one thing people should never forget when interacting with older persons?

The responses were thoughtful, honest, and deeply moving.

“Being able to live independently for as long as possible.” — C.H

“One thing that affects dignity is that feeling of feeling invisible as we grow older. Your view is no longer important, and your many years of experience count for nothing.” — C.M

“Dementia didn't define her or diminish her person.” — B.C

“To me dignity means to be heard and not treated as stupid, old school, know nothing, laughing at or treated as too much.” — M.N

“For me personally, dignity means still being thought to have opinions of value.” — S.T

A common thread emerged: dignity is not about age. It is about respect, being heard, maintaining independence where possible, and recognising the value of a person's life experience.

Many members also reminded us that older people are not defined by illness, limitations, or stereotypes. They are individuals with histories, relationships, wisdom, and opinions that deserve to be acknowledged. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.

Your voices help build a more compassionate, dementia-friendly, and age-friendly South Africa.

Alzheimer's South Africa TAFTA

15/06/2026

When we say that the great meals at PlumRus Protea Coffee Shop get better and better we are not exaggerating.

Just have a look at this weeks Special, where else can you get value like this!!!!

And... they are open on most public holidays, so why not treat the working family to something, because at these prices you can afford to pay for the whole family.
(admin endorsed)

15/06/2026

Many older ones do not realise how important exercise is as you age, this article by our friends at TAFTA highlights this vital role and gives tips on how to get moving.

Regular exercise for the over 60s, helps improve mental and physical health, and can prevent conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

15/06/2026

Ever wondered what really matters to someone?

There’s a quiet truth hidden in plain sight…
If you want to understand a person beyond the surface, don’t just look at what they post — look at what they save.

Saved posts on Instagram or Facebook are where people collect the things that move them, inspire them, worry them, or make them laugh when no one else is watching.

It’s the private little archive of curiosity, hope, humour, memories, and sometimes even healing.

In many ways… it’s closer to the heart than the feed will ever be.

So maybe the real question isn’t what someone shares with the world —
but what they choose to keep for themselves.