Our Purpose
CERSMA provides comprehensive care and support for elderly religious sisters across Malawi, ensuring dignity, comfort, and community in their golden years.
Our Mission
We are an outstanding care provider for the elderly and infirm sisters who need assistance in our religious congregations in Malawi.
Our Vision
To provide companionship, assistive devices, restructuring/upgrading of houses, and supportive services with personalized care plans.
Our Reach
Serving 17+ religious congregations including Congregation of the Mother of Carmel, Franciscan Missionaries of Assisi, MSOLA, and many more across Malawi.
CERSMA Philosophy
"Older and infirm sisters should stay in their own religious houses as long as they receive quality care of our services."
All is done with financial aid and support from Conrad Hilton Foundation, CERSMA Trustees, Congregation leaders, Community leaders, and Caregivers. When the needs of the elderly and infirm sisters go beyond the ability of CERSMA to serve them, the religious congregations should be able to plan within their own capacity.
Our Goal
To create a wellness and elderly care network in Malawi and improve quality of care for elderly sisters.
Objectives
1Establishment of Operational Network
To establish and legally register an operational network for elderly care for the sisters in Malawi and to engage in assessing the needs of the elderly and specific interventions.
Recent Development
CERSMA engaged Mr. Chrispin Chimwemwe Ngunde, a Notary Public, Legal Practitioner, and CEO of Malawi Law Society to understand the law of Malawi and begin the process of registering an operational network. The CEO had a meeting with the Project Leader and Congregation Leaders held from 11th July 2024 – 13th July 2024 at St. John's Pastoral Centre in Lilongwe.
2Improved Quality of Health
- Clarity of support needs
- Access to psychosocial support
Initiative
CERSMA facilitated sessions between relatives and elderly sisters that promote social interaction, presence, and family visits.
Participating Religious Congregations
Categories of Elderly Sisters
We have three categories of Elderly Sisters:
Category 1
Special Care Group
Category 2
Inactive Elderly Sisters
Category 3
Active Sisters
Care for the Elderly Sisters
Our Mission
The Care for the Elderly Sisters project was initiated by Sr. Jane Wakahiru, Vice President of the Conrad Hilton Foundation, in conjunction with Sr. Agnes Njeri, Program Officer in Africa, and CERRA Africa. This initiative was born out of comprehensive research conducted in Malawi, which highlighted the need for quality care for elderly sisters.
The Need
The research conducted in Malawi revealed that elderly sisters require specialized care and attention. Our mission is to ensure they receive the dignity, respect, and quality of life they deserve in their later years.
Key Milestone
Initial Meeting
December 13, 2023
Latitude 13 Hotel, Lilongwe, Malawi
Partnership
In collaboration with Association of Women Religious in Malawi (AWRIM)
Project Leaders
Sr. Colleta Bester TS
Vice Chairperson the Board, Malawi
Sr. Georgina Sapangwa
Head of CERSMA Secretariat
Our Services
Comprehensive care and support programs designed specifically for elderly religious sisters and their congregations across Malawi.
Care Services
Our comprehensive care services address the physical, emotional, and social needs of elderly and infirm sisters through specialized programs and support.
Companionship for Elderly and Infirm Sisters
WECANERSIMA understand the importance of socialization and companionship that can have on elderly and infirm sisters mental health and wellbeing.
Service Details:
Opportunities to engage with others and grow relationships with friends, neighbors, age groups and community members can help improve the symptoms of depression, ease feelings of senior isolation and loneliness and even reduce the risk of dementia. Our caregivers have more time to get to know the elderly and infirm sisters and offer them just the right amount of assistance with personal care and emotional support. Caregivers have one goal: enriching the lives of our elderly and infirm sisters by maintaining their safety, well-being, and comfort as they continue to live independently, in their communities despite limited mobility, chronic conditions and other age-related considerations.
Key Features:
- Emotional support and companionship
- Social interaction programs
- Mental health support
- Community building activities
- Personal care assistance
- Safety and well-being maintenance
Provision of Assistive Devices
WECANERSIMA shall provide assistive devices to the sisters who are physically challenged when it comes to mobility.
Service Details:
We provide a range of assistive devices to enhance mobility and independence for sisters with physical challenges. Our team assesses individual needs and ensures proper fitting and training for all assistive devices.
Key Features:
- Mobility aids and equipment
- Hearing and vision assistance
- Daily living aids
- Safety equipment
- Medical devices
- Technology assistance
Restructuring of Houses
Each sister has a private bedroom or shared bathroom with safety devices. All homes are accessible by ramps for exit and access.
Service Details:
We conduct thorough assessments and coordinate with contractors to ensure safe and accessible living environments. All modifications are designed to improve accessibility and safety for elderly sisters.
Key Features:
- Accessibility modifications
- Safety improvements
- Structural upgrades
- Bathroom modifications
- Kitchen adaptations
- Emergency response systems
Supportive Services
Routine health monitoring by Professionals Schedule activities and social programs
Service Details:
Our supportive services include routine health monitoring by professionals and scheduled activities and social programs. We develop personalized care plans based on individual assessments and provide ongoing support and monitoring.
Key Features:
- Personalized care plans
- Health monitoring
- Medication management
- Nutritional support
- Transportation assistance
- Emergency response
Personalized Service Plan
WECANERSIMA understand that each sister's preferences and needs are different.
Service Details:
Therefore, an individual service plan is developed cooperatively before move in and adjusted periodically thereafter to ensure that each sister (elderly and infirm sister is receiving assistance and support especially those that are physically challenged in mobility.
Key Features:
- Individual assessments
- Customized care strategies
- Regular plan reviews
- Family involvement
- Progress monitoring
- Adaptive care adjustments
Other Programs
Additional programs designed to provide flexible care options and community integration for elderly and infirm sisters.
Respite Care
Eldercare Network offers respite care at all its homes.
Short term care provides the opportunity for elderly person that are in different religious communities that may come and stay together with their friends at our homes for few days.
Program Features:
- Short-term care options
- Community integration
- Social activities
- Professional supervision
- Flexible scheduling
- Safe environment
Adult Day Program
For those still able to stay in some communities rather than Nursing Homes or old age homes.
The Adult Day Program offers regular visits to join the daily life of the homes, participating in various activities with assistance as needed. Schedules are flexible to suit the needs of the elder and infirm sisters as well as the Caregivers.
Program Features:
- Regular visits
- Daily life participation
- Various activities
- Assistance as needed
- Flexible scheduling
- Community integration
Our Valued Partners
We are grateful for the support of our partners who help us make a difference in the lives of elderly sisters.
Conrad N. HILTON FOUNDATION
International Union Superiors General
Avilla Institute of Gerontology
The Anna Trust
Centre Research in Religious Life & Apostolic
Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops
Association of Women Religious in Malawi
Trickal Holdings