I am the owner/manager of Unicorn's Haven - which is a truly unique, home~away~from~home, with a holistic approach, & a drug free philosophy, dedicated to caring for those living with Alzheimer's Disease.  I run the home with the help of my life partner, Tyrone.  He is well versed in the complexities of Alzheimer's Disease as well as being an excellent "fixer of all things broke"...

Unicorn's Haven is set on 21ha of land, in the stunning, serene forestry area of Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal.

The spacious thatched roofed, high walled, farmhouse, with generous shared accommodation for a maximum of 10 residents is well designed for those living with Alzheimer's Disease.  I like to keep the numbers low - 2 - 5 residents at any one time, so i can give them the individual attention  they so rightly deserve and need.  I do not use anti-psychotic drugs on my residents as they are demented and not psychotic & the results have been nothing short of miraculous...  These people are like family to me.

The residents of Unicorn's Haven are free to walk around the 2-acre, sheltered garden, which filled with wild bird life, and a variety of pets (dogs, cats, dwarf cameroon goats, chickens) for them to interact with and being out in the sunshine is good for their souls.

Music is vitally important and each resident has their own music available and we take turns listening to it. 

Although many residents can no longer comprehend what they read, a large selection of coffee table books with beautiful pictures are regularly paged thru and discussed.

Each resident does what they are capable of doing, like, making their beds, sweeping, washing dishes, raking leaves, picking flowers, planting seeds, playing cards, feeding the dogs, whatever makes them feel as though they have contributed towards the home and they do it in their own time, without any pressure to perform.  In other words, they live as normal a life as they can, despite having AD.  I take them to the local dairy to collect fresh milk - there they can pat the calves & enjoy the outing.  I also take them out to town, or to teas or get-togethers at the church. 

They are totally & unconditionally accepted for who they are now, quirks and bewildering behaviour notwithstanding.

Oranges & avocados from the fruit orchard  - which the residents love helping pick - and freshly grown vegetables & herbs from the hydroponics garden, together with home cooked meals make living at Unicorn's Haven a healthy, loving experience for those with AD and guilt free for the relatives.

The residents stay with me until they die - I care for them here and am with them when they "cross over".

We also offer respite care for those people who don't want to place their relative in a home just yet, but who need a bit of breathing space...

Unicorn's Haven is a privately run establishment and the residents pay me a monthly fee. 

I am a member of Alzheimer's SA.

I am medically trained and had geriatric nursing care experience in this country & overseas experience with 

Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke survivors.

Ramona J Alexander
Unicorn's Haven
Alzheimer's Disease Care Facility
P O Box 164, Ixopo, 3276,
KwaZuluNatal, South Africa
Mobile : 082 533 6165
LandLine : 039 834 2210
Fax2e-mail : 086 613 9831