All residential facilities for older persons to register with the WC Social Development Department

The Western Cape’s Social Development MEC, Sharna Fernandez is appealing to all residential facilities for older persons to register with the Department of Social Development, should they have not done so already.

There’s a total of 300 old age homes in the Western Cape,of which, 117 are funded by the provincial Social Development Department.

Fernadez said that R250 million has been budgeted towards services for Older persons, for the current financial year.

‘’The provincial DSD’s role as stipulated in the Older Persons Act, No 13 of 2006, is to register residential facilities and to monitor adherence to norms and standards of care within facilities.‘’

“It is illegal for any facility to provide accommodation services to older persons without being registered. Our elderly citizens deserve nothing less than to be treated with absolute dignity and respect,” added Fernandez. 

Whilst the Department partners with the NPO sector, other government departments, tertiary institutions and local authorities in providing access to quality services to vulnerable Older Persons, all old age homes are owned and managed independently.

 

Residential facilities already funded by this department do not need to submit their contact details as we are aware of their services.

 The following facilities need to apply for registration:

·        Residential facilities not funded by this department and rendering accommodation and 24-hour care and services to older persons.

·        Facilities where older persons or frail older persons are cared for or accommodated, such as boarding houses, shelters and even private homes.

·        Retirement villages that render care and services to older persons in a sickbay.

 

DSD wishes to invite both individuals and organisations to submit the name of their establishment, along with full contact details, to Debra.Fortuin@westerncape.gov.za or to Department of Social Development, Private Bag X9112, Cape Town 8000.

 

Done By: Mitchum George