Home Based Caregivers Program

This program consists of 3 full time Home Based caregivers and volunteers from the community of Kayamandi, a poor township of 25,000 outside of Stellenbosch, South Africa. All of the caregivers have successfully finished a Hospice training course fully accredited by Hospice International.  Included in the training were home based care techniques ranging from basic palliative care skills, grief counseling, and a broad HIV/TB testing, treatment, and prevention outreach.

The caregivers first identify the people in need and then divide the caseload based on the different zones in Kayamandi.  Each worker has approximately 40 individuals under their care.

Every home visit is tailored to the individual's practical needs, which includes nutritional, psychosocial, and medical support. One of the greatest needs is help in managing doctor appointments and hospital visits. The governmental healthcare system is not user friendly and can be frustrating as well as confusing for chronically ill patients. The caregivers spend many hours assisting their clients to and from doctor visits and arrange any transportation needs that go beyond their duties, often working after hours to assure their patients the best care possible.

Additionally, the caregivers assist in the management of medications for HIV/AIDS. This includes daily pill counting which helps the patient stay adherent to their antiretroviral therapy.

To assist in the nutritional support, Charlie developed a Feeding Program which serves the hundreds of families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.  Additionally, he oversees the weekly social support group with the local caregivers.

To maintain the ever-changing demands of the patient load, the caregivers keep daily logs and journals on each client as well as monthly evaluations with the doctors and Charlie Johnson.