- The Western Cape Department of Social Development has conducted unannounced oversight at the Beaconvale Frail Care Centre following allegations levelled against the facility.
- The allegations were followed by a protest demonstration in mid October.
- Around 50 members of seniors clubs attended the demonstration outside the centre on Wednesday 18 October.
- Findings and recommendations were presented to the board and management for implementation as part of a service delivery improvement plan.
The provincial Department of Social Development has conducted unannounced oversight at the Beaconvale Frail Care Centre following a series of allegations levelled against the facility on social media, followed by a protest demonstration mid October.
According to the department, they were made aware of social media videos circulating and conducted an early morning site visit as part of their monitoring process.
“Walk-abouts were conducted to observe the living conditions, care routines, hygiene and cleanliness, and general compliance with Norms and Standards. Group and individual interviews were conducted with residents, as well as staff,” says Esther Lewis, spokesperson for the department.
Findings and recommendations were presented to the board and management for implementation as part of a service delivery improvement plan, she says.
Around 50 members of seniors clubs attended the demonstration outside the centre on Wednesday 18 October.
Lobelia Seniors Club, Al-Maaana Outreach Programme, Colorado Social Seniors Club, New Lentegeur Senior Social Club, Sunshine Seniors Club and Northwood Health and Diabetic Seniors joined the permitted demonstration.
Bernie Galant of Northwood Health and Diabetic Seniors says they needed to take a stand for the seniors amid the allegations.
“They have no back-up system for load shedding, people are dying. There is no control. Management must fall and new people must come in,” she says.
Youmna Mohammed says in September a member of their group raised concerns following a visit to the centre.
“She spoke about the smell as if a drain had burst in the facility,” she says.
Since then, Mohammed has obtained five sworn affidavits and videos from residents making further claims.
Their list of allegations include: non-nutritious meals, a person dying and not being found for several days, residents being woken up at 04:00 to be bathed, being fed breakfast of mielie meal with no sugar, no blankets, residents being bathed with one cloth, no toiletries and limited nappies, meals being restricted to save on nappies and changing, stealing of residents personal items, incorrect medications, long unkept grass and irregular meals.
Facility manager Raymond Mitchell and board chair Solomon Philander, along with members of the board all vehemently denied the seriousness of some these allegations, while explaining the procedure behind the implementation of other processes mentioned.
Some of these allegations were also dispelled by a walkthrough of the facility by People’s Post.
No smell was evident at the time, nor was there any evidence of blankets being withheld. Staff were present at everyone of the seven wards and residents interacting with People’s Post were in good spirits.
As for the early wake up call, Mitchell explains: “In any hospital, they have processes that enable them to work and make sure everything is done. We do wake people up at 04:00 so that everything is not left to the next shift. But, no one forces them to stay up and they can absolutely go back to bed after.”
Philander says as these are frail people, most of them are incontinent and also must be changed and turned regularly. The changing of nappies contributes to the temporary smell.
“If they are being woken up, that is good. It means the staff are doing their jobs.” He continued that meals are kept to light meals in the evening and a bigger lunch because their digestive systems work differently, but that it is a misconception that people are being starved.
“Our food bill is the second highest, other than staff salaries,” he says. “These are serious allegations and they need to come with proof. We all have a lot to lose as members of this board and we take this very seriously,” says Philander.
The facility sees to 135 residents and people die, they confirm, however there has never been a case registered for negligence.
Philander says they have a complaints box at the facility and no issues have been raised.
“Are we perfect, no, but we are trying our best with the limited resources we have,” says Mitchell.
“I have been in this industry for more than 20 years and abuse of the elderly is something I take very seriously and do not accept. I have people dismissed for less than this.”
Maintenance work is underway at the facility, which was confirmed by People’s Post.
The role of the department is to register old age homes, monitor compliance with norms and standards, and to investigate any allegations of elder abuse.
“The WC DSD does not manage or own any old age homes. These are owned and operated by NPO boards and management teams,” says Lewis.
“All facilities must have a complaints procedure available to residents and their family members, which details the process. The first step is to approach the facility manager. The next step would be to approach the board,” says Lewis. “Depending on the nature of the allegations, residents and their caregivers also have the option to directly approach the board. Where there are serious complaints or allegations of abuse, etc. this can be reported DSD via the toll free number – 0800 220 250.”
