3 old-age homes to close
AFFECT: Old-age home in the Cape Flats. Picture: Leon Lestrade/African News Agency/ANA.
The Cape Peninsula Organisation for the Aged (CPOA) is to close three old-age homes due to financial pressure brought on by the Covid-19 lockdown, raising concerns about the well-being of the elderly on the Cape Flats.
Nerina Place in Bishop Lavis, Lilyhaven Place in Bonteheuwel and Oakhaven in Heideveld are being shut down, the CPOA said.
The organisation said despite subsidies from the Department of Social Development, it has made losses amounting to R265 million in the past 10 years.
“After long and intensive discussions between senior management and the board of directors (council), CPOA has decided it must close three of its five welfare homes,” CPOA said.
“This decision was not taken lightly, but the ongoing financial pressure due to the Covid-19 pandemic has made it very clear that operating five sub-economic homes with a combined annual deficit of R33.5m is financially not sustainable for the company.”
Bonteheuwel Development Forum chairperson Henriette Abrahams, who said they only learnt of the closure on Tuesday, was shocked at the move.
“With the current overcrowding in our areas, the physical, emotional and economic abuse of our elderly, the CPOA is declaring war on our vulnerable and aged,” she said.
“We as communities have not been consulted on the rationale for such a decision and alternative accommodation has not been discussed with our communities.”
Bishop Lavis Action Community spokesperson Amanda Davids said they had requested a meeting with the sister in charge at Nerina Place and a community meeting would be convened as “it was done without consultation with anyone”.
CPOA CEO Dr. Michael Zipp said the process to engage with the 300 affected residents and their families is underway.
“CPOA is prepared to donate the three homes to NGOs either so that they can continue to be used as retirement facilities as going concerns or so that the buildings can be used for other welfare purposes,” he said.
Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez said the department could not intervene in the board’s decision to close facilities, as these were independently owned and managed.
However, she said the department would monitor the process and provide the necessary support.