Care Centres and Homes of Safety
Welcome to our Assisted Living and Self Help Centres Page, where we provide information about the various types of Residential Facilities in South Africa which have been specifically developed to accommodate and care for persons with physical impairments or disabilities.
These Residential Facilities may provide short- or long-term care to those who don’t live with their families, caregiver, or on their own due to their impairment and the assistance that they require.
1. Do you have an impairment or disability that prevents you from living on your own or with family members?
2. Are you Looking for a Home or Residential Facility that can accommodate your needs as a person with a physical impairment?
If your answer is “Yes” to both these questions, you are in the right place! The below Assisted Living and Self-Help Centres page provides information about the options available to you.
It includes information about these Organisations, Companies and Government run facilities, which offer this accommodation, care and/or Respite Services that assist persons with Physical Impairments and/or disabilities.
Please view the list (on the right of the page), to gain quick access to the information you require, which is listed below.
What Are You Looking For?
Types of Facilities available to assist persons with disabilities:
1. Diagnostic Focused Homes
– QASA Self-Help Centres
2. Organisational Run Facilities
– Ann Harding Cheshire Homes
3. Respite Care Centres
– Shalom Respite Centre
4. Government Run and Supported Residential Facilities
– List of Residential Facilities in Gauteng
– List of Residential Facilities in Western Cape
5. Retirement Centres
6. Home Care
7. Find a Residential Facility Near You
Types of Residential Facilities that assist persons with disabilities
There are various types of Residential Facilities listed below that provide accommodation for persons with physical impairments, with varying levels of carer assistance.
When looking for a Residential facility, there are important, distinguishing criteria you need to consider including: Age; Gender; Type of Disability that they cater for; Type of Care required and Price Range. (Government run facilities are generally cheaper than organisational or privately run facilities.
The Residential facilities listed below are divided into 5 main types, which determines who they cater for:
Caters for specific types of impairment groups, such as the QASA run Self- Help Centres which cater for Paraplegics and Quadriplegics over 6 provinces in South Africa. (This is also an Organisational Run and funded facility).
Learn more about the QASA Self-Help Centres.
Cheshire Homes in South Africa are run by an Organisation and are affiliated to Leonard Cheshire International in London. an Example of this, is the Ann Harding Cheshire Home in Gauteng. (This is also a Diagnostic run facility, as they accommodate persons with Physical Impairments).
Learn more about the Ann Harding Cheshire Home.
Respite Centres have services designed to give caregivers a break from caring. This can come in various forms, including:
a) Part-time carers that step in and look after the person that you care for.
b) Day Care Centre or Group Activity, where the patient is taken out for the day.
c) Residential facilities which operate as licensed “Respite Facilities”, such as the Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre in North-west.
Learn more about Respite and Care Centres.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) manages and subsidises various residential care facilities for people with disabilities.
Learn more about Government Run Facilities:
There are various Retirement Centres that usually only accept persons over the age of 55 or 65, but may also cater for persons with disabilities, such as the ‘Plumrus Retirement Centre in Cape Town. Learn more about Retirement Centres that accommodate persons with disabilities under the age of 55
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1. Diagnostic Focused Homes
Diagnostic Focused Homes care for persons in specific medical diagnostic groups in South Africa
QASA Association of South Africa (QASA)
QASA is a non-profit organisation (NPO 000-881) of Quadriplegics and Paraplegics in South Africa. QASA’s mission is “to improve lives by securing resources to advocate, educate, capacitate, support and mobilise”.
QASA’s vision is that “all quadriplegics and paraplegics will live their lives to their full potential”.
QASA develops products, programmes and services for quadriplegic and paraplegic members including but not limited to “Independent Living (Self-Help Centres)” to promote independent living for quadriplegics and paraplegics.
The 14 Self-Help Centres that QASA provide, cater for Quadriplegics and Paraplegics in 5 provinces. The philosophy behind a Self-Help Centre is that the residents are entirely responsible for funding and managing the centre and make all decisions in respect of hiring staff and providing for the needs of the residents.
The focus is not on providing a “Care Home” environment, but on giving wheelchair users a place to lead independent lives.
With limited access to education and the formal labour market, and in many cases solely reliant on a “Disability Grant”, quadriplegics and paraplegics are often left with little choice but to be dependent on family members for a home.
QASA’s solution is to provide Self-Help Centres which allow communities of wheelchair users to live independently of their families. These centres provide accommodation, meals, care attendants and transport to the residents.
Click here to download the QASA Self-Help Centres Contact Sheet featured alongside: QASA Self-Help Centres
To learn more about QASA and the Projects and Services that they provide, visit our Organisations Page, or www.qasa.co.za.
2. Organisational Run Facilities
Organisational Run Facilities are run and funded by organisations
Ann Harding Cheshire Homes
Cheshire Homes in South Africa are run by an Organisation and are affiliated to Leonard Cheshire International in London, an example of one of these homes in South Africa is the Ann Harding Cheshire Home in Gauteng.
The Ann Harding Cheshire Home is also a Diagnostic Focused Home as they Cater for specific types of impairment groups, namely Physical Impairments, but they are also organisational run.
The Ann Harding Cheshire Homes is a registered Non-Profit Organisation for the care, education, training and development of persons with physical disabilities of all races and religions. It was established over 30 years ago following the donation of the grounds by Ben Harding, whose mother, Ann had a disability – hence the name Ann Harding Cheshire Home.
Cheshire Homes are structured around community needs and local communities. They recognise the needs relating to persons with disabilities and have homes in different provinces which are suitably equipped and offer accommodation with 24-hour care.
Cheshire Homes Additional Services:
The Ann Harding Cheshire Home provides all their permanent residents with comfortable accommodation, 24-hour care, nutritious meals, laundry, access to therapists and social workers, as well as physiotherapists, state clinics, hospitals and private practitioners using our own specially adapted vehicles. The majority of our 40 residents have permanent disabilities and have taken up permanent residence at Cheshire Homes.
Various daily activities keep our Residents motivated and educated, including arts and crafts, painting, bingo, chess and card games. In 2014 we upgraded our swimming pool to a heated therapy pool. Residents enjoy spending time in the pool with our full-time Occupational Therapist, as well as private Physiotherapists.
The Ann Harding Cheshire Home has a committee of dedicated members who ensure exemplary ethics and code of conduct, and that any funds received are used for the intended purpose. Monthly reports detail the progress made in the utilisation of all donations, sponsorships and bequests made.
The Ann Harding Home is run like a business, with the care and advancement of our residents the priority. The residents themselves have a significant say in the running of the home, through the Residents’ Committee, which is fully represented on the Home Management Committee. The Home is registered as a PBO and can therefore offer Section 18a certificates for tax purposes.
For capital projects we offer naming rights, which bring the prestige of being associated with a long-standing NGO in the community. Our donors are proud to be associated with us, because of our good reputation and transparency. We are in good standing with the local media, schools and businesses in the community, and have the privilege of being supported by numerous volunteers from all walks of life. We prefer to build long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that deliver significant benefits to disabled people and the stakeholders of a business alike.
In addition to applying for funding, Ann Harding also holds several fundraising events each year which are always very successful and assist enormously with costs. We also run a very successful Charity Shop, which is well supported by the local community.
Current projects include building self-living units, which are sold on a life-rights basis. The Home has a hall which is hired out to companies for meetings, training courses etc.
Plans include further development on Ann Harding Land, whereby the vision is to build:
1. A subacute step-down facility for adults with physical disabilities.
2. Twenty-two 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, Independent Living Units for persons with physical disabilities, and a Caregiver or family member. (Learn more about this facility: Independent Living for persons with mobility impairments.)
3. A Skills Development Centre to cater for all three homes in Johannesburg, as well as the surrounding community.
Ann Harding Cheshire Home was opened in 1976 in a house and land donated by the Council. The house, which is now the Charity Shop, was only large enough to house eight residents, and even that was tight.
Development of the surrounding land only took place much later, and in 1988 a building to house 40 Residents was opened. The Home is named after the “physically disabled mother” of one Benjamin Charles Harding who originally donated property for the Home which proved unsuitable for development. This property was sold, and the money used to develop the current land.
The best way to assess our services is to visit our Home, and we welcome such visits. The Home is a warm, homely place, with beautiful gardens and a swimming pool. Common areas include lounges, tea areas, a computer room, therapy room and dining area. Above all, we are always cognisant of the fact that this is the residents’ home, and their comfort is foremost in our minds.
Should you have any queries, or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on the details below.
Contact: Jackie Kyle (Fundraising Manager) on: 011 792 3510 or 082 764 0973, or
via Email: Jackie@cheshirehomes.org.za Website: www.annhardingcheshirehome.org.za.
Physical Address: Plot 40, 4th Road, Northwold, 2155. Registration No’s: 020-102-NPO; PBO 18/11/13/4017
3. Respite and Care Centres
Respite Centres offer “Respite Care” for those who require a break from caring.
Respite and Care Centres offer “Respite Care” for those who require a break from caring. Respite Care is a specialised service in which a person with a disability is cared for while the caregiver and/or family members take a break to be able to recharge their batteries.
Respite Care can come in various forms, including:
Part time carers that come in to look after the person that you care for on a regular basis.
(View the information below under Home Care, or Visit our Health Care page to find more information about this, including companies that can assist you.)
Day Care Centre or Group Activity, whereby the patient is taken out for the day.
(Visit the information below under Home Care, or Visit our Health Care page to find more information about this, including companies that can assist you.)
Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre
The Shalom Respite and Residential Care Centre is situated in a rural farm environment on the edge of Magaliesburg.
The Shalom residents are accommodated in the main building which is surrounded by 2 acres of land and open fields where residents can take daily walks.
It offers professional 24-hour residential care for people with profound physical and/or intellectual disabilities and short-term places for families wanting to offer a stay-at-home disabled family member a “holiday in the country” or afford the family a rest from home-caring
4. Government run and Supported Residential Facilities
Government run facilities are generally cheaper than organisational or privately run facilities.
South Africa offers a variety of residential facilities dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. The Department of Social Development ensures that a comprehensive network of social development services is provided to enable and empower the poor, vulnerable and those with special needs.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) manages and subsidises about eight residential care facilities for people with disabilities.
If you are looking for a Government run facility in Gauteng or the Western Province, please click on the appropriate blue blocks below. For other regions please use the search facility at the bottom of this page to find a service that best suit your needs.
5. Retirement Centres
Retirement centres that accommodate individuals with disabilities
There are various Retirement Centres that usually only accept persons 55 and older, but also cater for persons with disabilities. One such example is ‘Plumrus Retirement Centre’ ‘(Plumrus) in Cape Town.
Plumrus is a home for the elderly that is situated in the beautiful Constantia Valley of Cape Town.
The idyllic setting is perfect for the 243 residents, who either live in flats and bachelor flats, or in Health Care rooms.
PlumRus also caters for residents with Impairments such as Dementia. Offering both Home Base and Day Care for clients whose’ families need respite care.
6. Home Care
While residential care does provide several benefits for people with disabilities, it is not the only option and is not suitable for everyone. Home-based carers play a vital role in the healthcare ecosystem, providing personalized support and assistance to individuals with disabilities in the comfort of their own homes.
These trained professionals help maintain a person’s dignity and independence by offering tailored care that suits their specific needs and lifestyle. Their duties often include assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, medication management, and mobility support. In addition to physical assistance, home carers can offer emotional support and companionship, which is crucial for mental and emotional well-being.
For individuals with disabilities, especially those who prefer the familiarity and comfort of their own surroundings, home-based care is a compelling alternative to residential care facilities. It allows individuals to remain connected to their communities and loved ones, fostering a sense of normalcy and inclusion.
Compared to residential care facilities, home care can be more flexible and cost-effective, particularly for those who only require part-time or non-intensive support. For many, it is a way to preserve autonomy, dignity, and comfort without compromising on the quality of care received.
There are various Home Base Carers working throughout South Africa that are ready and able to assist you.
Please feel free to visit our Health Care and Rehabilitation Page, or Contact DiSA and we will connect you to someone in your area.
Still Can’t Find What you are Looking For?
Use our Search Facility to find a Residential Care Facility near you
Visit our “Services” Search Facility
Search for “Residential and Self-Help Centre” or “Residential and Self-Help Centre for Children” under your “Impairment Group”
Then choose the province that you are in, and press “Search”.
Residential Facilities with their Contact Details should be listed there.
You would need to contact each one to find out more about them and if they can accommodate you or your family member.
Disclaimers and References
Simplified Summary
This page provides information about places to stay for disabled people who need help.