Closure of care unit at home for elderly shocks residents, family members

Family members of residents at a home for the elderly in the Moot were furious after the home’s management unexpectedly informed them a care unit at the home would be closing down at the end of June.

A woman, whose mother has lived at Ebenhaeser Home for the Elderly in Anna Wilson Street in Kilnerpark for 12 years, said that they received a letter from its management on May 6, informing them the unit would close soon.

“My mother (95) died on May 11. It was a huge shock for her. We are very upset with the way the management is handling the matter, ” the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

The woman said that her mother received fantastic care from the staff at the unit.

“The problem never came down to the care of the staff – we are not happy with the home’s management,” she said.

Another family member, who also has parents at the unit, was just as upset about the “sudden” decision.

“Where can we get other accommodation within a month? Where do we start?” the family member asked.

According to the family member, about 15 residents were affected by this decision.

“We are quite upset about the move. As we understand, most of the staff are now without a place to live or an income.”

A statement from the home, which Rekord received from a concerned family member, stated that it was “simply no longer affordable” to keep the unit open.

The management advised residents to get alternative accommodation.

According to the statement, after many financial investigations, internal and external help were called in, but it was in vain.

The alternative was to increase residents’ levies by around R8 500 per unit per month, but not all residents can afford it.

The home suggested that residents could move to Bougainville’s care unit, but that hospital closed at the end of April, also for financial reasons.

Ebenhaeser general manager Pieter Robbertse said residents and family members were kept up to date on events and that residents themselves supported the final decision to close.

“This unit showed a huge loss and began to put pressure on the financial management of Ebenhaeser as a whole,” said Robbertse.

“Since Covid-19, an unusually large number of the flats were vacated because of deaths.

“This put further financial pressure on our cash flow. There are currently many unoccupied apartments,” he said.

He added that financial assistance from an outside institution could also not be a way out, as it would require protracted submissions and time was not on Ebenhaeser’s side.

“Before the announcement of the unit’s closure, negotiations were held with ProCare to transfer the 17 residents at the same rate of R16 950 per month to newer and more modern facilities. It was simply the choice of the residents and their next of kin.”

Apartment care for residents was not affected by the closure.

“There will still be a four-bed unit available for illnesses, emergencies and recovery after medical procedures.

“We are thinking of renting out the units to provide more affordable accommodation to people with lower incomes,” he said.

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