Frail care centres need urgent help

Adesperate situation is unfolding at some of the state-funded old age homes in Nelson Mandela Bay, which could see them forced to close down. The 10 homes are on their knees as they battle the rising food costs and a meagre subsidy of R2,000 from the Eastern Cape department of social development.

Gelvan Park Frail Aged Home board chair Gishma Johnson explained that it costs about R6,500 to accommodate one elderly person per month, but the money they receive is the R2,000 government subsidy per person and another R2,000 that the elderly pay from their old-age pension, which amounts to R4,000.

It does not take an accountant to see that there is a massive shortfall every month, and that money needs to come from somewhere.

The funds do not only pay for the accommodation and meals of the elderly, it also includes palliative care and 24hour nursing services.

“Besides donations, we have been surviving on goodwill loans where individuals, companies or organisations lend us money with no interest charged. But that can’t go on,” Johnson said.

Malabar Home for the Aged chair Mogan Segadavan said the home operated at a deficit of about R40,000 every month.

The home has been forced to consider retrenching staff as they simply cannot afford to keep running at a loss.

The situation is dire and it is the elderly that will suffer the consequences of any closure or retrenchment of staff.

Though it would be ideal if the government could increase its monthly subsidy, its budget has been depleting, making it difficult to match the rising costs of living.

Our hope is that businesses and civil society will open their hearts and adopt these old-age homes in their communities.

Businesses can assist with providing adult nappies and food, where possible, so as to ensure these important facilities continue to keep their doors open.

These facilities provide a critical service and a home to many who are often either abandoned by their families or who have nowhere to turn.