Westbrook retirement village pothole puts senior in hospital

Residents of the Westbrook Retirement Village feel they are being neglected by the KZN Department of Social Development.

Cecilia Anne Loreck (82), a resident at the village for more than 10 years, says the department’s maintenance work has declined dramatically.

She herself became a victim of the neglect last year when, while tending the roses across from her unit, she stepped back, tripped over an unfilled pothole and hit her head hard in the subsequent fall.

A fellow resident called an ambulance which rushed Loreck to Alberlito Hospital, potentially saving her life.

This resulted in a hospital stay and a rehabilitation process of more than 2 months.

“I am very lucky that I have good private healthcare and was able to get an ambulance immediately. Most of the other residents would have had to wait for the state ambulance. That could take more than an hour,” Loreck said.

It took weeks for her to orient herself in an outpatient facility in Ballito, sometimes thinking she was back on the South Coast where she spent much of her life.

“It was terrible, I had no idea where I was every time I woke up.”

Loreck said residents pay between R1 000 and R2 000 per month to reside in the state-run facility, depending on whether they are in a single or double unit, but maintenance work is not done regularly.

“Sometimes work is done, but it is always a temporary solution. Leaks, potholes and rotting wood are all commonplace around the village. I hope no one else is hurt as a result.”

The Courier has not received any response from either the KZN Department of Social Development or Department of Health on the matter.

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