Focus Groups-Older Persons

SERVICE
Care of Older persons on Homes for Older persons

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Home for older persons targeting physically and/or Mentally frail aged persons (women 60+ years and men 65 years).

LEGISLATION THAT UNDERPINS THE SERVICE
Aged Persons Amendment Act
Care of Aged Persons.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
This service must meet the standards as determined in the Regulations to the Care of Aged Persons Act, 1967(Act 81 of 1967), must comply with the standards of local authorities, must be accessible to community facilities and resources and must comply with the accepted policy of the Department/Administration.

The department subsidies the older persons in these homes in accordance with the financing policy. To receive state subsidy, older persons must undergo screening that is conducted by professional Social worker.

In 1996 there were 2 government and 59 subsidized homes (Total 61) in the Eastern Cape that were accommodating4074 older persons. Presently there are only 1 government and52 subsidized homes that are accommodating 3603 older persons.

The decrease in the statistics shows that, the departmental deinstitutionalization programme is succeeding. The Department is emphasizing community-based services in the care of older persons through the involvement of communities. The increase in the number of community service centers and the membership of older persons in these centers clearly indicates the success in this regard.

AIMS OF THE SERVICE
The aims of this service include;

• To care for the aged physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
• To promote quality of life and the dignity of the aged.

The services in the home for older persons include;

• Basic physical care.
• Medical and nursing care.
• Supportive services.
• Leisure time programme
• Social services

Some homes for older persons render services in the Community as home based care that include;

• Meals on wheels.
• Home nursing
• Day care
• Respite care

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
Except Silver Crown Home for Older Persons in East London, all homes for older persons are sponsored and Managed by NGOs/CBO's.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Older Persons screened by the Social Worker before admission into the residential Homes.

SERVICE
Community Service Centers for the Older persons

DEFINITION OF SERVICE
Residential Services to Older Persons

LEGISLATION OR POLICIES
Aged Persons Amendment Act

GRANTS LINKED TO THIS SERVICE
Old Age Grant
Disability grant

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
Community service centers are non-residential facilities. The operating days and hours will vary among the centers.

The community service centers are extensively involved in the community on the welfare of older persons and adult disabled.

There are 54 community service centers in the Eastern cape. All these centers are sponsored and managed by NGOs/CBO's. The department gives financial subsidy in accordance with the financing policy.

Although the department has continued with its strive to add more target population to receive this service, the biggest challenge the department has been facing in this regard was to create a balance between the West and East of the province in terms of accessibility.

This is due to unavailability of NGOs and CBO's in the Eastern areas in this service field. The department has clear plan to develop and support NGOs and CBO’s in the Eastern Areas of the province.

AIMS OF THE SERVICE CENTERS
The community service centers provide services to the members who attend the center. That include;

• Physical care: health assessment and monitoring, bathing, meals, personnel care and physiotherapy.
• Supportive services: Advice and information Education, counseling, spiritual, self help groups, Telephone service, Day care and transport.
• Activities: Cultural, arts and crafts, indoor and Outdoor games, library, socials, gym, Occupational therapy.

The community service centers also provide Home Based care to those members who are unable to attend the center. That includes;

• Physical care: Home nursing, meals on wheels, personal care and physiotherapy.
• Supportive services: Home help, transport, telephone service, home security, advice, Information and education.
• Activities: Cultural and library

WHO RENDERS THE SERVICE?
All these centers are sponsored and managed by NGOs/CBO's. The department gives financial subsidy in accordance with the Financing Policy.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Older and Adult Disabled People.