With a passion for people-centred care and a career rooted in social work, Ulricka Beukman has stepped into the role of manager at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC).
Previously deputy manager at Tarentaal village, Ulricka brings both frontline experience and a compassionate leadership style to her new role, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the 160-bed centre.
“My goal is to create a space where residents feel truly at home and their families trust that their loved ones are in capable, caring hands,” she says. “This chapter of life should be one of dignity, meaning and connection.”
A qualified social worker who joined Rand Aid in 2019, Ulricka is no stranger to the challenges and opportunities of elder care. Her time at Tarentaal, combined with personal experience caring for her own parents, has deepened her belief that ageing is not a decline but a time of continued growth and reflection.
“My background has taught me that every person holds inherent value,” she says. “I see our care centre as a beehive, where every staff member plays a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of the whole. I believe in accessibility, dignity and an open-door approach to leadership.”
In addition to overseeing logistics, administration and support services at RSCC, Ulricka guides new residents through the admissions process and helps ease their transition into care. She is committed to breaking outdated perceptions of frail care and promoting a culture where residents feel empowered to live purposefully, regardless of their health or age.
During her time at Rand Aid, Ulricka has completed a palliative care diploma through the University of Cape Town, as well as a geriatric management qualification from Kennesaw State University in the United States. She also continues her training in the Eden Alternative’s philosophy of person-directed care.
“Working across different Rand Aid villages has shown me how ageing can still be a time of joy, discovery and legacy. At RSCC, I want to help create the kind of environment where those moments are possible.”
