About

Our Story

Our Home is situated in Lamontville which is located approximately 15 kilometres south of Durban, and which provides invaluable holistic nursing care, and specialised dementia care to 68 frail elders over the age of 60.

Many of the elders are placed at the Home as a result of neglect or abuse, they cannot live with family, are alone or cannot care for themselves. Their only source of income is their government pension and, therefore, cannot afford the well-resourced/financed old age homes in KwaZulu-Natal.

At Issy Geshen Lamont Home, we continually strive to improve our facilities and standard of care, thereby providing maximum comfort for our elders in their twilight years. We provide safe and secure accommodation, daily nutritious meals, occupational therapy and essential medical care through the generous support of donors.

Our origins

For more than 60 years, the Issy Geshen Lamont Home for the Aged has delivered quality care to vulnerable elders in the Lamontville community.

A legacy of care and compassion began with Issy Geshen’s founding member, Mr Issy Geshen and a group of volunteers more than 60 years ago. His vision was to build a better tomorrow for vulnerable elders who needed care and a place to call their own.

Instead of becoming a hostel for black women, which the Native Administrative Board proposed, the Durban Bantu Refuge Home was established in 1960 after Mr Geshen successfully overturned it, resulting in us being able to provide vital shelter and holistic care for the aged. Following his death in 1979, our committee resolved to rename the home in his honour.

The Lamontville community is an impoverished community with a 72% high unemployment rate. Many elders previously resided in Lamontville and therefore have a sense of connectedness to the community.

Our Mission

Today, our mission and primary objective remains the same; to provide comprehensive and holistic care to needy pensioners, to promote the physical, emotional and social well-being of the elderly, and to create an environment where every elder feel valued and safe.

Our services

  • Secure accommodation
  • 24/7 professional nursing care
  • Medical care
  • Occupational therapy
  • Social work services
  • Social activities and events
  • Daily nutritious meals

Our facilities

  • Frail care-friendly toilets, bathrooms and showers
  • Central kitchen and dining room
  • TV/recreational lounge
  • Specialised dementia and frail care units
  • Administration offices

Our outreach

  • Practical training facility for student nurses and tertiary students (social work)
  • Intergenerational programmes
  • Educational programmes - empowering elders on their human rights and risks related to Covid-19
  • Managing and hosting of annual Choir Festival for the elderly
  • Community Stroke Club
  • Wheelchair assessments and provision
  • Community outreach programmes; Knitting blankets for the Mandela Day Campaign and handmade toys for disadvantaged children

Our Team

Our team is the heart of our Home, and we value every member who serves our elders with passion and purpose.

38 staff, 2 interns and 4 volunteers ensure that all our residents enjoy the safety, dignity, respect and comfort that is rightfully theirs.