College of Human Sciences

CHS visit puts a human face on engaged scholarship

Share

Department of Health Studies academics with the caregivers from A re Aganeng old-age home

Four academics from the Department of Health Studies in the College of Human Sciences went on a site visit to Makapanstad Village in the North-West Province on 1 April 2022. They visited the A re Aganeng old-age home as part of their key performance area of engaged scholarship.

The academics participating in the Engaged Scholarship (CA6000) – Unisa Care for Older Persons project were Professor KA Maboe from Health Sciences Education, Professor DSK Habedi from Public Health, and Dr NL Nkoane and Dr TR Netangaheni from Community Health Nursing.

Habedi says that the purpose of their site visit was to promote engaged teaching and learning among home-based caregivers and to establish a rapport with them. The intention is to later conduct a research project in the field of technology. “We realise that knowledge situated outside the academy will enrich the teaching and learning in Unisa, as a Comprehensive Open-Distance e-Learning (CODeL) institution of higher learning,” Habedi explains.

Site activities

Department of Health Studies academics with the caregivers from A re Aganeng old-age home

The CA6000’s first deliverable was addressed by engaging with a professional nurse about the chronic conditions of the elderly and their daily healthcare needs. Their chronic conditions include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, and dementia, to name but a few. The A re Aganeng old-age home also offers frail care. The proposed research project will help home-based caregivers to nurse the elderly. Meeting society’s needs and building networks through knowledge sharing will not only promote teaching but also bring together expertise and transformation.

Maboe informed the caregivers of the objectives of the project. One of them is to train home-based caregivers in the use of technology as part of looking after frail elderly people with chronic conditions. Home-based caregivers need to be able to use technology to call an ambulance or family member in case of an emergency, request information from a pharmacy, upload documents online, or to attend Zoom meetings or webinars.

During their site visit, the academics saw that they can improve their scholarship if they engage with communities and assist community members with their social issues. They realised that knowledge is useful only if it is shared. “Our aim is to promote the African university in the service of humanity,” Maboe concludes.

* By Nnana Jege, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Human Sciences

Share

Publish date: 2022-04-11 00:00:00.0

Unisa Shop