Family in Standerton decides on swift action to rescue grandmother
The Standerton Advertiser opted for a surprise visit to Kosmospark the same day and a notice board, outside, ironically cited that the centre educates older persons about abuse and neglect.
An alarming incident of abuse to an elderly woman in a facility in Kosmospark abruptly ended when the family intervened.
Mr Lethukuthula Mdakane, her grandson, visited the offices of the Standerton Advertiser on Thursday, 20 May, armed with video footage of how his grandmother, Ms Elizabeth Ndlovu, was removed from Nhlosenhle Home-based Care on Saturday, 15 May at about 9pm.
The senior citizen was tightly secured to a bed in the garage and found fast asleep.
According to Mr Mdakane, Ms Ndlovu suffers from Alzheimer’s, a fact the centre was fully aware off.
She has high blood pressure and had been at the facility for five months.
According to Mr Mdakane, she was covered in one blanket and no heater was seen anywhere.
“It was very cold,” Mr Mdakane said.
The family was tipped-off about the grandmother’s situation and the family went to the centre.
An argument ensued between the family and those in charge.
The photos clearly depict the force and strength used to tie her to the bed.
“We were told she was naughty and they could not handle her,” he also said.
“Why did you not contact us about her behaviour?” the family wanted to know.
Standerton Police were also notified and according to Mr Mdakane, no one was arrested in connection with the incident.
The newspaper contacted the communications officer of the police, W/O Nkosinathi Khanyile, on Friday, 21 May.
“We are aware of the situation and taking it very seriously,” W/O Khanyile said.
“Procedure has to be followed and only once the investigation is completed, can someone be arrested.”
He added that this case involves social workers’ input as well.
A doctor was seen as well and the family made contact with the Department of Social Development.
The newspaper called the department on 21 May to establish whether the care centre is government-funded, but was unsuccessful in obtaining an answer.
A Google-search indicated that Nhlosenhle Home-based Care and Hospice was registered as a non-profit company in Sakhile in 2018.
The Standerton Advertiser opted for a surprise visit to Kosmospark the same day and a notice board, outside, ironically cited that the centre educates older persons about abuse and neglect.
Ms Emma Mollo, who is in charge, said she was not at work during the incident, but only arrived after a phone call from the former caregiver.
“I was ill the whole week,” she also said.
“I was shocked and tried to reason with the family.
“Let’s talk,” was her response.
According to her, the caregiver, one of four at the facility, has since been fired and allegations were made about the stealing of items such as clothes at the centre.
Ms Mollo provided the newspaper with a cell phone number of the caregiver and also took the newspaper on a guided tour through the face-brick house.
The facility has squeaky-clean floor tiles, the bathrooms and kitchen are spotless, curtains are clean, heaters are available, sanitisers can be seen, as well as three fire extinguishers.
“My grandmother is in a worse state now than before she was admitted to the centre,” the grandson added.
“She is unable to feed or bathe herself.”
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