La Gratitude Home elects new chairperson at annual general meeting

La Gratitude Home for the Aged hosted its annual general meeting on June 5, discussing and highlighting the extreme challenges faced by NPOs across the country.

Following the formalities which saw CEO, Jomari Batista, welcome guests, Jabu Nkosi, the Board of Control Chairperson, explained that perseverance was the topic of the day.

She commented that the services rendered to the elderly ‘pursued excellence during all stressful challenges faced, and this can only be due to the dedication and enthusiasm of the CEO and her management team.’

The organisation continues to offer residential accommodation at the flats in Pioneer Park and cottages in CBD for those 50 and older. The frail care facility offers 24/7 nursing for those 60 years of age and older who require around-the-clock care.

The meeting heard that the home is governed by a ‘well-educated and well-oiled machine’, with members serving on the board for well over 35 years to ensure ethical and transparent business practices are implemented at all times.

The board has to that budget and financial matters are adhered to and that service delivery remains a priority.

“Making a difference in the lives of our elder persons is a God-given privilege and we at the centre of providing that care are blessed abundantly,” Nkosi said.

Board members are dedicated volunteers who serve out of love and are not compensated to do so.

“The board would not be able to accomplish all they do if it was not for the dedicated staff, management, residents and every donor who supported and trusted us with their loved ones.”

Chris LeRoux:, Deputy Chairperson and Treasurer, said La Gratitude faces many challenges.

“The financial stability and sustainability of the organisation remain a constant priority to ensure on-going frail care and residential services are rendered.

“The efficiency, diligence, and integrity with which funds are generated, collected, and spent will inevitably determine the success and on-going sustainability of the organisation.

“Despite many challenges faced by the organisation, when push comes to shove, we join hands and get the job done, no matter the sacrifices needed to do so.”

The frail care facility consists of 120 beds and consumes the majority of the financial resources of the organisation due to the high demand for the facility.

The facility has managed to retain an occupancy level of 85 % over the past financial year.

Financing the facility is primarily sourced from boarding and lodging fees, payable by the residents.

The Department of Social Development cannot be relied upon to pay the medical costs of frailty residents as they face their own financial challenges and budget cuts.

With the signing of the new service agreement and no hope of increases in subsidies from the department, the organisation has been facing significant financial challenges over the past five years.

La Brie Retirement Village was especially thanked for its annual donation of R345 000, which is utilised for specific usage and projects at La Gratitude.

Donors, small and large were thanked for their continuous support. The Department of Social Development was thanked for another year of approved subsidies, despite not many NPOs being served by the department.

“Caring for our elderly residents is at the forefront of what we do,” said CEO Batista:

In her annual report, Batista, who has served the home for 22 years, addressed the many challenges that the home was currently facing, including grant cuts, no increases, new service agreements, and various other concerns.

“We are so blessed to still be operating today because we have faced so many financial challenges, but God is great and He knows how important the work of this organisation is. In our books, the elderly remain angels without wings.”

Despite having 26 empty units at one stage, demand was high, and those units were quickly filled, leaving only two currently empty.

Over the years, units have been upgraded and modernised, and that has contributed to rentals remaining occupied as an empty unit impacts negatively on the home’s finances.

Three new cottages are being built, and after a demand was noted, a few of the frail care units are being equipped with en-suite bathrooms, which will help generate more funds.

Compliance in every aspect remained a high priority of the home, ensuring that the home remains a safe place for every staff member and resident at the frail care unit, cottages and flats.

La Gratitude suffered over R300K in damages in November 2023 after a lighting storm struck the home, taking out the fire alarm, intercom system and CCTV systems.

Human resources

It was further highlighted that human resources remain a challenge as the home competes against larger medical facilities offering a larger salary to registered carers.

This further highlighted the fact that the staff at the home do their jobs out of sheer passion and love for the people they serve and not for the money.

Financial strains are at the forefront of the home’s struggles after cuts in grants and no increases for the past five years.

As a result, a sister home in Utrecht was forced to close its doors in May – stark proof that NPOs are struggling to keep their heads above water.

Batista discussed in detail all the financial struggles the home currently faces and her concerns about what this may lead to in the future, but also commented that ‘God had been on their side, looked over them for over 30 years and helped them remain operational despite everything they have faced.’

Following the CEOs report, the auditor’s report was read by a representative of Lee Oosthuizen Smith Auditors, which highlighted the income vs. expenses.

It was noted that the home had a clean and unqualified audit yet again, proving the dedication of the home to serving its community to the best of its ability.

The AGM concluded with the election of a Chairman, Roy Harripersadh.

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