Share

Allegations of abuse in Western Cape old age home

accreditation
Stop elder abuse from Shutterstock
Stop elder abuse from Shutterstock

A Western Cape old age home is being investigated for alleged abuse of the elderly, Western Cape Social Development MEC Albert Fritz said on Monday.

Serious allegations


"The department of social development has launched an investigation into the unregistered Serendipity Old Age Home, after serious allegations of elder abuse were raised."

He said the allegations ranged from deaths due to poor treatment and human rights violations.

Read: Happy humans know their rights

"A specialist investigator from NGO Action on Elder Abuse SA has been enlisted to thoroughly investigate the Serendipity Old Age Home."

He said if there was a need to go to court to obtain an order to close the old aged home, they would do so.

"If any criminal conduct is uncovered through our investigations, the matter will be referred to the South African Police Services for further investigations and prosecution."

Important oversight role

Fritz said the Older Persons Act stipulated that all residential facilities (old age homes) have to be registered with the Department of Social Development.

"Responsibility is placed on owners of such facilities to ensure they are registered, and most importantly comply with the norms and standards set out by national legislation."

Read: Facing the reality of growing old

He said the Act empowered the department to play an important oversight role, and monitor the level of care received by older persons at all registered facilities.

"If any information is received regarding an unregistered facility, the department immediately acts to make contact with that facility, with the aim of moving it towards compliance."

He said to further protect the elderly, the provincial department was in the process of investigating the possibility of establishing a dedicated inspectorate within the department that would be tasked with not only identifying unregistered facilities throughout the province, but also assessing all human rights matters and operational norms and standards at all residential facilities.

Read more:

Indicators of elder abuse
Types of elder abuse
Financial abuse of elders

Image: Stop elder abuse from Shutterstock

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE