Sonya se Tuiste old-age home has come under fire for operating illegally.
The facility operates from premises rented from a local church in Parow North by retired nurse, Daniel Esterhuyse, since 2007.
Esterhuyse began caring for the elderly people 28 years ago. The home has capacity for 15 residents but now only houses six occupants as the provincial Department of Social Development has given it notice to shut.
Sonya se Tuiste is among 86 unregistered old-age homes currently operating in the Western Cape.
The provincial Department of Social Development said they had conducted several interventions to assist the facility to become compliant.
“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,” said the department’s spokesperson Esther Lewis.
“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.”
The department said if the home failed to close, it would institute legal actions.
Lewis said the majority of unregistered old-age homes in the province were in the process of registering.
She said the department funded a total of 114 homes and encouraged prospective clients to ask for the registration certificate before placing their relatives in any old-age home.
Esterhuyse said he was in the process of closing the home in two months’ time to adhere to the department’s instructions. Two carers will be left unemployed.
He insisted that the majority of the elderly he cared for were happy at the home.
“They want us to close sooner, but I cannot get the people out because where should they go? As soon as they find a place they will move, but I’m not going to chase people (out) because it is not in my nature.
“Some of them are reluctant (to leave) because they are happy here and some said they do not want to leave,” he said.
The facilitator at the Gatesville Seniors’ Club, Fowzia Veerasamy, said the registration process included obtaining a municipal certificates for zoning, fire and safety. This was not only lengthy, but costly for old-age homes as they were usually run by old people who used their pension money for survival.
In her experience, elderly people were among the most vulnerable who aren’t protected from the abuse, even by the hands of their own children.
Veerasamy said there was a need for more organisations who could lobby for the elderly to be care comfortable houses with big spaces outside for exercise and the possibility to do gardening for elderly people in every ward.
“There are not enough old-age homes. We are in dire need of seniors cottages for so that seniors can have a quiet place. In my personal capacity and working with seniors, there is daily abuse of the elderly.
“The government needs to take the vacant buildings, transform and utilise those buildings for elderly. The seniors are on pension already for R2 000. So how much should they pay for rent?” she asked.
An independent social worker and founder of Centre for Care and Contact, Candice Warner, said choosing a registered facility was important, as frail older persons can be vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and other risks associated with improper care.
“Not being registered implies that they are potentially operating illegally and that tells me there are things that need to be in place but are not.
“It is costly to have these mechanisms set in place, but it is a necessity, especially if the motivation is to serve the best interests and provide the best care to the elderly who reside there.
“Elderly (people) are frail, and require ongoing and regular medical care etc. All these things require compliance,” she said.