Cape Town - An unregistered frail-care facility based in Theal Street, Parow North, has been ordered to cease operations following “several interventions” to have it become compliant with the Older Persons Act.
Having received a complaint from concerned residents, the Department of Social Development (DSD) conducted an investigation into the care and protection of tenants at Sonya Se Tuiste, as well as the status of the facility.
The facility was ordered to cease operations due to non-compliance or face legal action.
DSD spokesperson Esther Lewis said they had previously issued notices to the facility for it to become compliant, but after none of the standards were met, it was ordered to shut down.
“DSD is aware of the unregistered facility. DSD has conducted several interventions to try and assist the facility to become compliant with the requirements for registration, as listed in the Older Persons Act.
“In spite of exhaustive interventions, the department issued a Section 18 Notice to cease operations in September 2021, due to ongoing non-compliance with the minimum norms and standards.
“Another complaint was received recently, and a site visit conducted revealed that it had started operating again. Another notice was issued by the department in August. If the home doesn’t comply with the notice to stop operations within the given time-frames, the department will have to approach the court,” said Lewis.
When the Cape Times contacted the facility, a staff member said: “Somebody was here (on Wednesday). The older people are being moved from the facility.”
The website advertising the facility has since also been shut down.
The facility was described as “providing care in a home environment”.
“Our group home is suitable for elderly women who have Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or require post-operative care.”.
A group of concerned residents in the vicinity of the home had lodged the complaint with DSD.
One of the complainants said they were concerned for the well-being of the women they have or had in their care.
“These elderly are vulnerable and don’t have a voice for themselves.
They need specialised care, which is not what was being given as we did not even see these women being taken for walks. Instead it seemed they were being isolated in the facility.
“It is unlawful to keep people in a facility that is not registered for such special care that is needed by the patients. They had unqualified carers coming in just for the day and visiting hours – posted on the door of the home/facility – was just for 30 minutes at a time.
“The complaint was lodged because we are genuinely concerned about the well-being of the elderly and because the facility was unregistered,” said the complainant.
Cape Times