Eden Alternative South Africa

05/08/2026

Over the past two days, our Eden Mentor, Willem, had the privilege of facilitating an inspiring Eden Alternative workshop with the leadership and care teams at the Rand Aid Association.

What stood out most was not simply the conversations about culture change, but the genuine willingness of people to listen deeply, challenge long-held assumptions, and imagine what is possible when relationships become the foundation of care.

Together, they explored how wise leadership, Listening Circles, person-directed decision-making, and the Domains of Well-Being can transform not only the lives of older persons, but also the experience of everyone who lives and works within the community.

Culture change is never a destination; it is a continuous journey of learning, courage and growth. Thank you to the Rand Aid team for your openness, energy and commitment to creating communities where every person can experience purpose, belonging and a life worth living.

03/08/2026

What if understanding your brain today could help you protect it for tomorrow?

Join Dr Kirti Ranchod, one of South Africa's leading neurologists and brain health advocates, for an inspiring webinar on Understanding Brain Health.

Kirti is:
🧠 A Neurologist with extensive clinical expertise in brain health.
🌍 Founder of Memorability, making brain health tools practical and accessible for everyone.
🤝 Co-lead of the Africa Brain Health Network, advancing brain health across the continent.
🎓 A Global Atlantic Fellow and Extraordinary Professor at North-West University.
💡 Passionate about combining neuroscience with practical brain skills training to help people build healthier, more resilient brains.

Whether you're interested in maintaining your own brain health, supporting a loved one, or expanding your professional knowledge, this session will provide practical, evidence-based insights you can apply immediately.

📅 Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of South Africa's foremost experts in brain health.

Your brain changes throughout life, and the choices you make today can make a meaningful difference tomorrow.

Fatigue is constant. Your ability to focus is getting harder. You have too much to worry about and too much to do often all at the same time. This affects your daily habits like sleep and diet, which doesn’t help you to solve the problems you need to solve or make the decisions you need to make. I...

02/08/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined our Dignity Dialogues: Ageing Well Together webinar.

It was a privilege to share this conversation with Femada Shamam, CEO of TAFTA, as we explored how the principles of the Eden Alternative can help promote dignity, agency, meaningful relationships and quality of life throughout the ageing journey.

One of the strongest messages from the discussion was that ageing well is not only about receiving good care. It is about continuing to experience choice, purpose, belonging and the freedom to live as fully as possible.

For those who could not attend—or would like to revisit the conversation—the recording is now available via the link and passcode:

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/play/4007xB1d5DWSZs1ryMOvjFfgBUJbeZi-qu8RQ9qaEd5tJcHwl9Yt69m2rU9HUJoZXLcGVCU-jCxMEN2F.rssg1HHSAoQ3wHPG

The passcode: XKN%2C8@

Thank you to Dignity SA , TAFTA and GERATEC for creating space for this important dialogue. I hope the discussion encourages us all to think differently about ageing, care and what it means to support a life worth living.

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28/07/2026

Climate Change and Population Ageing: Two Global Challenges, One Important Conversation

What happens when climate change and population ageing intersect?

Join this Partners Programme webinar, co-hosted by the ILC Global Alliance Climate Change Committee and the Government Actuary's Department (UK), to hear from international experts as they explore how climate change is affecting our health, communities, and the systems that care for us as we grow older.

The webinar will cover:
✅ How climate change affects health across different generations.
✅ The impact on health, financial, and care systems.
✅ Why current policies need to evolve to meet these interconnected challenges.
✅ Practical thinking for building more resilient communities.

We are especially proud that Prof. Rayne Stroebel, our regional coordinator and Co-Director of ILC-South Africa, will chair this important international discussion.

Please share this opportunity with colleagues working in ageing, healthcare, policy, research, and community development.

A joint webinar on climate change in an ageing population hosted by the ILC Global Alliance Climate Change Committee, the Government Actuary’s Department and ILC UK. Supported by the ILC Partners Programme.

27/07/2026

How do we ensure that every person can age with dignity, purpose and choice—right to the end of life?

Join us for the next Dignity Dialogues as we explore Ageing Well Together, a thought-provoking conversation on how the principles of The Eden Alternative® can transform the way we support older persons, families and communities.

This free webinar will explore how promoting agency, meaningful relationships, and dignity can improve quality of life at every stage of ageing.

🎙 Guest Speakers
👤 Femada Shamam
CEO, The Association for the Aged (TAFTA)

👤 Willem Myburgh
Director: Training & Development, GERATEC & The Eden Alternative South Africa

📅 Thursday, 30 July 2026
🕕 18:00 (SAST)
💻 Free Online Webinar

👉 Register here: https://bit.ly/DignityDialogueJuly26

Whether you are an older person, family member, caregiver, healthcare professional, leader, or simply passionate about creating more compassionate communities, this conversation is for you.

Together, let’s reimagine ageing—not as a time of decline, but as a stage of life filled with possibility, purpose and human connection.

26/07/2026

Death is one of the few certainties in life, yet it remains one of the conversations we avoid the most.

This moving article from The Guardian shares a family's experience of caring for a father in his final days and reminds us of a profound truth: planning for the end of life is not about giving up hope—it is about protecting dignity, honouring personal wishes, and easing the burden on those we love.

At the Eden Alternative South Africa, we believe that person-directed care extends to every stage of life, including the final chapter. Every person deserves to have their voice heard, their values respected, and their choices honoured.

Perhaps this article is an opportunity to begin a conversation with your family:

* What matters most to you?
* Have you shared your wishes with those you love?
* How can we create a culture where death is approached with compassion, dignity and openness?
Twelve days nursing my father in the 'dying room' taught me the value of planning for death

*

Dying is difficult, a nurse told me. It might have been even more appalling had Dad not been clear about his wishes. Yet most of us remain deeply reluctant to outline how we want the end to go

12/03/2026

This is such an important resource.

Introducing the Tafta Elder Abuse Line (TEAL) 💙

Launched on 23 November 2022, TEAL was established to give older persons across South Africa a safe and confidential way to report abuse, seek guidance, and access support.

Since its launch, the helpline has received over 4,000 calls and facilitated more than 1,000 referrals to social workers, community organisations, and support services — helping older persons find protection, care, and dignity.

Elder abuse often goes unreported, especially when the person causing harm is someone the older person depends on. TEAL exists to ensure that no older person has to suffer in silence.

If you are worried about an older person — or if you are an older person who feels unsafe, mistreated, or afraid — confidential help is available.

📞 Call 0800 10 11 10
💬 WhatsApp 072 459 2613
📧 Email [email protected]

Available 7 days a week | 07:00 – 17:00

In the coming weeks we’ll also be sharing information about how to recognise the different forms of elder abuse and what steps you can take if you suspect it.

Because every older person deserves safety, dignity and respect.

09/03/2026

Caring for someone living with dementia can feel overwhelming, but understanding it can make all the difference. 💙

Join Melaine Pillay, Senior Manager of Social Work at Tafta, for an insightful online session on Demystifying Dementia.

This talk will help families, caregivers, and community members better understand dementia, recognise its challenges, and learn how to support those affected with empathy and dignity.

🗓 9 March 2026
⏰ 18:00 – 19:00
📍 Online via Zoom
Zoom ID: 838 424 11766
Password: ASWF

Let’s break the stigma and build a more supportive community for those living with dementia❤.

26/02/2026

Bergzicht Dementia Dialogues – Workshop One

Our first session on 3 March 2026 invites us to rethink what we mean when we say “dementia” — moving beyond fear and stigma toward understanding, prevention, and dignity. This is not just a workshop; it’s the start of a dialogue about brain health, relationships, and how we care for older persons in our communities.

If you’re joining us, come curious. Come open. Come ready to think differently. Get your tickets on Quicket.

https://www.quicket.co.za/events/358656-dementia-dialogues-workshop-series-bergzicht/

03/02/2026

Hello Eden SA Community,

GERATEC, in collaboration with Bergzicht Academy, is hosting the Dementia Dialogues workshop series, kicking off on 16 February with an introductory session.

So if you live in the Stellenbosch area, join us as we establish a gathering where people living with dementia and those who care for them can find support, comfort and guidance. Book tickets via Quicket:

https://www.quicket.co.za/events/358549-bergzicht-dementia-dialogues/

RSVP by 13 February to [email protected] or call 021 883 3525.