More old age homes in subsidy struggle

TWO further old age homes in the Chris Hani district are reportedly facing a similar financial crisis to that of the John Vorster Old Age Home in Komani.

The Rep reported (“Home struggles without subsidies”, July 7) that John Vorster Old Age Home was struggling to meet its obligations due to the non-payment of subsidies from the department of social development for the past three months.

In an investigation by The Rep this week, it was found that the Callie Evens Lodge Old Age Home and Retirement Complex in Cathcart, and the Tarkastad Old Age Home are also in dire financial straits. Madeira Old Age Home in Komani did not respond to queries.

Callie Evens is home to 43 senior citizens and Tarkastad home to 28.

Head of the Cathcart home, Pat Stocks, and administrator of the Tarka Home, Matt van Vuuren, confirmed they were waiting for the April, May and June payments from the department.

Stocks said the homes were told there were “scanning” problems which delayed the processing of the claim forms.

“What exacerbates the situation is that there is no proactive communication to NGOs to explain the delay; what caused the problem and when payment can be expected. Being left in the dark makes it difficult to plan.”

Van Vuuren said the Tarkastad home has space for 78 people, but financial constraints limited the numbers to 28, with only 15 residents getting subsidies.

Stocks said the Callie Evens Lodge Old Age Home had, since 2015, taken a decision to only admit residents that were able to afford full payment of the fees.

“Our committee is focused on fundraising, and the community provides the home with events in order to do that. Local businesses are supportive, and individuals also make anonymous donations.”

Van Vuuren said the Tarkastad home was having difficulty in getting assistance from the community “but there are a few that do help. We need to cater for the pensioners’ needs by buying adult diapers, toiletries and meeting other basic needs.”

Stocks said the department had informed them last year in Bhisho that the subsidy would be increased from R1 700 per resident to R2000 in the new financial year.

“This was taken into consideration when we planned our new budget; the failure to follow through on this has resulted in elderly residents having to fund the extra R300 per month. The subsidy and pension they receive only covers 44% of the actual cost for frail care, so this places the organisation under financial pressure.”

The Rep has been in contact with the social development department in Komani since June 22 with questions sent through about the initial crisis as reported at the John Vorster Old Age Home. No response was received from either the Komani or provincial office.

Contact was made again with the Komani office this week which indicated it was waiting for approval from province before comment could be made.