Gugulethu old-age home mistreatment claims to be probed

Cape Town – A Gugulethu old-age home is again under scrutiny after reports about the alleged mistreatment of elderly residents.

Community members last year held pickets outside the Ikhaya Loxolo Home regarding allegations of filthy conditions, poor care and families not being able to visit their loved ones.

Gugulethu Progressive Development Forum chairperson Lee Khabele said they were fighting for the decent treatment of senior citizens, but protesters had been served with an interdict against picketing outside the home.

“We are still receiving complaints and calls that the elderly are being mistreated. There are no security guards in the evening that make sure the elderly are safe.

’’They don't receive decent food and they aren't provided with clean and new napkins (sic), they wear the same napkins the entire day without being changed.

’’We were also informed that money gets withdrawn from their Sassa cards without their consent,” Khabele said.

He added that they appealed against the interdict.

“We will continue fighting for the rights and fair treatment of the elderly,” he said.

A resident at the home who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation said: “We live in filthy conditions here, it’s not an environment that’s made for us elderly.

’’We want people to see the way we are treated and our living conditions. This is not right, something needs to be done.”

An employee at the facility who also asked to remain anonymous, said: “We are tired of watching the elderly get treated in an inhumane manner.

’’Relatives bring their loved ones here, hoping they will get good treatment but that’s not happening.”

The employee also said the portions of food the elderly received were not enough and that there was a lack of adult nappies for residents.

“There’s no cutlery, they have to share amongst each other or wait for the other to finish eating - then they’ll borrow their spoon.”

In a statement, the home management said the allegations were devoid of truth.

“It is common knowledge and in the public domain that Ikhaya has sought the relief of the high court and an interim interdict was issued against Gugulethu Progressive Development Forum. “

Department of Social Development spokesperson Joshua Chigome said Sassa paid all residents’ pensions into the home’s bank account. This was normal practice by the majority of homes and this is allowed as per the Older Persons Act, he said.

“The department will follow up on the allegation that families are not allowed to visit during lockdown.

’’However, visitations are determined by the management of the homes provided all relevant Covid-19 health and safety protocols are adhered to.

“The department is not aware of mistreatment and would gladly accept any evidence on these allegations, which we will investigate.”

Cape Times