OLDER PERSONS VOICE THEIR STRUGGLES AT KRAAIFONTEIN HOME FOR THE AGED

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By Precious Mupenzi

  • In a dialogue session at the Kraaifontein Home for the Aged, older persons shared their painful experiences of abuse and neglect with Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe and Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, aiming to raise awareness and address critical issues ahead of the Budget Vote.
  • The session follows a shocking incident where an 82-year-old grandmother was assaulted by her grandson, highlighting the urgent need for better protection of older persons.
  • Minister Tolashe condemned all forms of abuse against the elderly and emphasised the government’s commitment to fast-tracking legislation to safeguard their welfare, including the Protocol on the Management of Elder Abuse and the Older Persons Amendment Bill.

In a dialogue session held today at the Kraaifontein Home for the Aged in Cape Town, older persons shared their painful experiences of abuse and neglect directly with the Minister of Social Development, Ms Sisisi Tolashe, and Deputy Minister Mr Ganief Hendricks. This session, aimed at raising awareness and addressing critical issues, took place ahead of the Budget Vote in the National Assembly tabled by Minister Tolashe.

The dialogue comes on the heels of a shocking incident where an 82-year-old grandmother in the area was assaulted by her 19-year-old grandson. Kraaifontein Tehuis, established in 1997, provides community services to the aged of all races and is funded by the Department of Social Development. The platform allowed older persons to engage openly with the ministers and raise their challenges.

“There is a negative perception of old age homes in our society. To some families, these facilities are seen as dumping grounds and waiting rooms for death. We receive no visits or communication from them. The only time we hear from them is when there is a death, and they need documents for insurance claims,” said Derek van Vuuren (not his real name), an attendee of the session.

Speaking during the dialogue session, Minister Tolashe condemned the abuse of older persons in all its forms, urging families to protect their elderly members. She expressed deep concern that older persons are at risk even from their own family members, referencing a recent incident widely circulated on social media where a teenager was seen assaulting her grandmother.

“The abuse of older persons is a grave issue that cannot be tolerated in our society. Families must ensure the protection and care of their elderly members. The perpetrators of these crimes must face the full might of the law and be registered in the Older Persons Abuse Register,” said the Minister.

The dialogue provided an opportunity for older persons to voice their concerns and discuss issues raised during Public Hearings in the Western Cape. Many shared personal stories of abuse and neglect by their families, noting the lack of visits and support from their relatives.

As Minister Tolashe tabled the budget, she reiterated her concern over the abuse of older persons, emphasising that such behaviour has no place in a caring society. She called on families across the country to ensure the care and protection of children, older persons, and persons with disabilities, by providing love, care, and support for them to live decent and dignified lives.

“As families and communities, we have a legal and moral duty to report such abuses to law enforcement and the National Helpline for Elder Abuse. The perpetrators of these crimes must face the full might of the law, and their details must be entered into the Older Persons Abuse Register,” she said.

To strengthen interventions for the protection of older persons, Minister Tolashe committed to fast-tracking the finalisation of critical legislation. Among the policies developed by the department is the Protocol on the Management of Elder Abuse, a joint, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral framework designed for interventions in instances of elder abuse or suspected abuse. This protocol is derived from the Older Persons Act, 2006 (Act No. 13 of 2006).

“On the legislative front, we intend to revive and finalise key pieces of legislation that lapsed from the previous Parliament. These include the Victim Support Services Bill, certain sections of the Children’s Amendment Bill, and the Older Persons Amendment Bill, amongst others,” she added.

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