Social Development
- (a) How many old-age homes in Mitchells Plain are funded by her Department and (b) how are they identified for funding;
- whether there is currently a waiting list for people who need this service; if so, what are the relevant details;
- how (a) often and (b) many visits do officials undertake to the old-age homes in Mitchells Plain in order to monitor compliance with norms and standards, including COVID-19 regulations?
- (a) The Department funds one (1) residential facility for older persons in Mitchells Plain. There are also number of other facilities funded by the Department which are outside of Mitchells Plain itself but are close enough to accommodate residents from Mitchells Plain and surrounding areas.
(b) The Department has an NGO funding policy which guides its allocation process to NGOs. Every three (3) years the department embarks on a call for proposal in local media for new funding applications. Non-Governmental Organisations can apply for funding during this process subject to meeting funding criteria and subject to the availability of the necessary budget in the department.
(2) The Residential facilities for older persons funded by the department are all owned and run by NGOs and are not owned or run by the department. The department does, however, register, fund and monitor these facilities for compliance with the Older Person’s Act and related norms and standards. The Department funds 117 residential facilities for older persons and does not have sight of waiting lists at all facilities. The Department does, however, fund 38 emergency beds across the province should any older persons not be able to access a bed space immediately.
(3) (a) The programme has a three (3) year monitoring plan whereby a full assessment done of all funded facilities in any given cycle. Where findings occur which require improvement the facility in question, a service delivery improvement plan is developed which is monitored quarterly through progress reports and follow-up visits as required.
(b) The facility in Mitchells Plain was last visited for full monitoring in 2019. Quarterly progress reports have been received according to the transfer payment agreement that the Department has with the facility. A policy developer from the Older Persons Program Office has been in weekly telephonic contact with the facility during the COVID period.
