Eden Alternative South Africa

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.

23/01/2026

The first community screening of Human Forever will take place on 3 February at the Hout Bay Congregation. Join us for this eye-opening documentary that invites us to rethink dementia, challenge assumptions, and imagine a future where every person is valued and included. Please email Willem at [email protected] for any enquiries.

14/01/2026

Hello Eden SA community,

We’re sorry to let you know that the Human Forever screening at Blue Route Mall next Wednesday has been cancelled. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough interest to cover the cost at Ster Kinekor. If you bought tickets through Quicket, you’ll get a refund. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Instead, we plan to show the documentary at retirement homes and villages across South Africa in 2026. We’ll share the schedule once it’s ready. If you know of any retirement homes or villages that might be interested in hosting a screening, please let us know. We hope this will help more people see the documentary at a lower cost.

If you’d like to arrange a screening, please email Willem at [email protected].

08/01/2026

Many people think that ageing in place, or staying in your own home as you get older, is the best option. But what does this really mean for older persons and their families in South Africa?

A new study from the University of Cape Town’s Family Caregiving Programme shows that most older people do get care at home. However, this care is mostly provided by female family members who often face financial difficulties and get little help from the government.

Learn how ageing in place often leads to unpaid family care, strained household budgets, and difficult daily challenges. This is why policies need to change to better support older people and those who care for them.

KEYWORDS / CATEGORIES Publication TypeGOLTC Blog Post CountriesSouth Africa LanguagesEnglish TopicsAgeing in place | Community-based LTC | Outcomes for unpaid/informal carers | Quality of care | Unpaid / informal careBy Vayda Megannon, Elena Moore and Zeenat Samodien (The Family Caregiving Programme...

08/01/2026

Teun Toebes talks about why friendship, belonging, and recognising the humanity of people living with dementia matter.

06/01/2026

“Some stories were planted before you were born. Your task isn’t to own them — it’s to help them bloom.” - Lawrence Nault.

Growing older is not about slipping quietly into the shadows; it is about nurturing a garden of stories, wisdom, and connection. This uplifting Marginalian piece gathers insights from extraordinary thinkers on the art of ageing, revealing how life deepens as we cherish what was, release what must go, and blossom into new possibilities.

Let us honour the beauty woven into every chapter and lift one another up to thrive, not despite ageing, but because it is the very source of our growth.

A great paradox of being alive in this civilization is that we have come to dread and devalue the triumph of having lived, forgetting that to grow old is not a punishment but a privilege — th…

05/01/2026

If you’re a caregiver, a family member, or just someone who believes in a better future for people living with dementia, you CANNOT miss this. Follow 24-year-old humanitarian Teun Toebes—who actually lived in a closed dementia ward—as he travels the world (including South Africa) to find out how we can do better.

This isn’t just a documentary; it’s a movement to reclaim dignity, connection, and JOY. Where: Blue Route Mall, Cape Town (or your local venue) When: Wednesday, 21 Jan 2026 Tickets: From R150 (They are going FAST!)

Don’t just hear about it later—be in the room where the conversation starts. BOOK NOW ON QUICKET.

In Human Forever, 24-year-old care innovator Teun Toebes takes us on an extraordinary journey. After living for several years in a closed dementia-care ward, Teun sets out with filmmaker Jonathan de Jong to explore the world. Together, they visit countries across the globe to discover how different....