Elderly need help with oxygen machine
“We can’t go anywhere anymore. Our quality of life is really not good.”
TWO pensioners from the Silwerkroon flats can barely afford their monthly visits to the clinic.
They suffer from chronic low oxygen levels and must often pay up R320 to pay for their oxygen so they can be able to leave their rooms and attend compulsory clinic appointments.
Yvonne Lombard (70) and Maureen Jordaan (88) have been friends for the past four years. They’ve both been dependent on oxygen – Yvonne for six years, and Maureen for four.
“We each have a few clinics we are required to visit often, for this chronic condition,” said Yvonne. “To get to these clinics – which are compulsory for us – is extremely difficult and expensive.”
Maureen added: “A clinic day costs us each R440 because we have to pay R320 for oxygen and R120 for transport to the clinic. We simply don’t have that kind of money.”
The only solution Yvonne and Maureen can think of is acquiring a battery-operated oxygen machine. The oxygen machines they currently have are electrical and remains plugged into electricity sources in their rooms. Thus, they do not have mobility outside of their rooms.
The electrical oxygen machines supply them with all the oxygen they need to breathe comfortably but confines them to their small rooms. A battery-operated oxygen machine would be portable and allow them to attend their clinic appointments as needed.
“We honestly do not live quality lives as it is, but if we had a battery-operated oxygen machine, it would make life a lot better for us,” said Yvonne. “We can’t go anywhere anymore. Our quality of life is really not good.”
Maureen added: “I don’t think people realise how difficult daily life is for us. The simplest things, like moving around, getting up and going out to buy food, are extremely difficult for us compared to healthier people.”
Yvonne and Maureen are desperate for help.
If you or somebody you know can help them in any way, especially with a battery-operated oxygen machine, they would be forever thankful. Please call Yvonne on 072 877 1209 or Maureen on 082 693 1944 if you would like to lend a helping hand.
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