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‘Growing old gracefully – an age-old adage’, unfortunately many senior citizens in our community are not given the opportunity to enjoy their “twilight” years. Statistics are revealing that Senior Citizens are increasingly victims of abuse and exploitation inside and outside of the family. As a vulnerable and sometimes powerless group, our older people are frequently targets of crime and often exploited by family members for their material possessions but denied care, support and respect.
The Durban Association for the Aged (DAFTA), motivates Senior Citizens to empower themselves and to shed the stereotypes about aging. We promote programmes that improve the quality of life of the elderly and enable them to remain valuable members of our communities through focusing on engaging them in self-sustaining initiatives directed towards achieving their optimal well-being.
We emphasize the need for Senior Citizens to engage with others, to build on existing friendships and relationships and to become involved in activities that they enjoy.
Being isolated and withdrawn from others can lead to feelings of depression and helplessness and can make the elderly more vulnerable to abuse.
South Africa like other countries worldwide, is grappling with problems of poverty, crime, provision of health facilities, housing and sanitation and the rising cost of living and the Elderly feel the pinch of poverty most and are hardest hit by slow service delivery. Compounding these challenges, the Elderly being a vulnerable group are often easy targets for criminals.
Our focus, in keeping with National Strategy is on Empowerment, Awareness, Education & enhancing intergenerational relationships. It is indeed an indictment on all of us that so often our older people who are an invaluable resource in the Community and have contributed so much to our homes and lives are subjected to abuse and neglect. With the scourge of the Hiv/Aids Pandemic, many grandparents are raising orphaned or abandoned children, who would otherwise be raised out of the family or would be institutionalized.
The above challenges compound the already challenging ageing process which involves a series of physical, emotional and cognitive changes exacerbated by feelings of isolation, rejection, and financial insecurity.
Hence, the need for holistic services to the elderly is imperative in our communities and our country.
Durban Association for the Aged (DAFTA), which has been in existence since 1970, renders professional social work services to the elderly in urban, semi-urban and informal settlements. The Association facilitates several programmes in the various communities including provision of Senior Citizens Clubs for the Aged and Service Centers which essentially are Day Care Facilities which promote social and recreational and other stimulating activities.
DAFTA presently manages 8 Service Centers and 26 Senior Citizens Clubs.
Challenges facing the Elderly• Rising cost of Living, the state pension is inadequate
• Increasing crime with the Elderly being most vulnerable to criminals
• Lack of reasonably priced retirement facilities/villages
• Hiv/Aids Pandemic- with the Elderly facing the burden of raising orphaned and abandoned grandchildren
• Lack of adequate Healthcare
• Elder abuse- physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, financial
• Property and possessions being fraudulently signed onto family members names
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
Services to the Elderly are governed by the revised Older Persons Act no.13 of 2006.
Objectives:
1. To ensure that the elderly persons remain in the community for as long as possible
2. Maintain and promote the status, wellbeing, safety and security of the elderly
3. Recognize the skills and wisdom of older persons
4. Promote participation of the elderly in community activities so as to promote them as people
5. Combat the abuse of the elderly
6. Respect the inherent dignity of elderly persons
The Act encompasses:
- creation of an enabling and supportive environment for the elderly
- residential care facilities
- rights of elderly persons in residential care facilities
- services at residential care facilities
- protection for elderly persons
SERVICES OFFERED BY DAFTA
CRITERIA: Services are rendered to persons residing within the eThekwini municipality who are 55 years of age and older
1. Counselling & Therapy by Professional Social Workers
Social Workers focus on enhancing lifeskills- by improving communication, problem solving skills, conflict resolution and coping skills
Family therapy, marital counselling and pre-institutional care counselling are rendered
Supportive counselling is rendered in respect of adapting to the ageing process and the accompanying physical, cognitive and socio-emotional changes
2. Investigation of elder abuse and neglect Elder Abuse encompasses the ffg. aspects:
Physical Abuse: any act or threat of physical violence towards an elderly
person
Sexual Abuse: any conduct that violates the sexual integrity of an elderly
person including rape and harassment
Psychological Abuse: any pattern of rejecting, degrading or humiliating an elderly person
Economic Abuse: the deprivation of economic and financial resources to
which an elderly person is entitled
Neglect: depriving an elderly person of food, clothing, clothing, comfort or essential medication
Allegations of abuse and neglect received from the community, hospitals and other sources are investigated by Social Workers.
Further in response to the challenges facing older persons – there is new legislation to protect and empower older persons – “The revised Older Person’s Act No.13 of 2006”. In accordance with this Act, abuse of the elderly should be reported to a Social Worker or to the Police and the necessary action will be taken against the perpetrator and to protect the older person.
3. Home-based Care & Wheelchair hire (Assistive devices) These services include home-based care information, accessing home based care, training caregivers and education on how to take care of the older person and counselling for family, community and caregivers on the process of ageing and its challenges
Applications are processed for wheelchair hire and depending on availability, these applications are acceded to or applicants are referred to other resources
4. Establishing, supporting & sustaining: Community based Senior Citizens Clubs & Centers
The Senior Citizens Clubs and Service (Day care) Centers provide peer support, stimulation, empowerment and recreational activities for Senior Citizens
They are managed by dedicated volunteers who are elected by the members of these clubs and centers on an annual basis and are responsible for the day to day running of the clubs / centers
Social Workers monitor the functioning of these clubs and centers and render training, development and supportive services
Dafta presently manages 8 Service Centers and 26 Senior Citizens Clubs
5. Processing Applications to Old Age Homes
In cases of frailty, abandonment, abuse or neglect etc. applications are made by older persons or on their behalf for placement at institutional care facilities(old age homes)
Social Workers investigate the circumstances of applicants, conduct an assessment (DQ98) as per departmental requirements and compile a detailed background report motivating the need for institutional care.
These applications with the accompanying documents are then submitted to the institutional care facilities and applicants are placed on a waiting list at these facilities which depending on the institution could be +/- six months to two years
6. Poverty Alleviation-Capacity building, Training & Development
Older persons are engaged in skills training and income generating programmes ie. Sewing, Bead work, Pillow/ cushion making, Food gardening, poultry farming and are assisted with marketing products and sustaining these projects
Older persons are assisted with applications for Old age Pensions and grants
7. Education & Empowerment
Educational and Informative talks / workshops are arranged for the Elderly at Senior Citizens Clubs/Centers/Clinics by Social Workers, Health Professionals, Attorneys etc.
Awareness is created on elder abuse, accessing resources and services, the ageing process and healthy living
The Adult Basic Education and Training Programme is being implemented in identified areas.
8. Hiv/Aids Programme
Supportive services are rendered to those older persons who are living with Hiv/Aids and their families
The elderly are assisted to care for abandoned, orphaned children
The elderly are assisted/referred to access child support, foster care grants
CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
The existance of the organisation is dependent on its financial resources. Terefore proposals for funding are an ongoing exercise. National lottery has been a major source of funding but in the current economic climate, sourcing funding has become increasing difficult.
Phase 1 of our Capital Development project involved building the Association’s premises in Arena Park, Chatsworth. This has been achieved but with basic facilities encompassing administrative offices and counselling rooms.
Phase 2 has been ear-marked for enhancing service delivery to our beneficiaries. Currently, the elderly are experiencing tremendous hardship in collecting medicines from provincial hospitals and clinics. Usually, there are long ques and conjestion. The Association intends to establish a primary health care facility and dispense medicines to the elderly as part of phase 2 of the Capital Development Project. We require at least 2 million rands to initiate this project.
Phase 3 will be devoted to the construction of a recreational facility for the elderly. Such a facility will promote active physical activities amongst the elderly. Indoor games, light exercise and dancing can be provided to engage the elderly. It Is anticipated that this project will cost in the region of 3 million rands.
INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES AND ACCESS TO COMMUNITY BASED SENIOR CITIZENS CENTERS AND SENIOR CITIZENS CLUBS
In terms of the Service Level Agreement entered into with the Dept. of Social Welfare, DAFTA has to establish, support and sustain community based Senior Citizens Service Centers and Senior Citizens Clubs. As per the agreement, eight service centers, six social work posts and one senior social work post are subsidized.
Our areas of operation include:
• Mobeni Heights
• Havenside
• Arena Park
• Crossmoor
• Montford
• Croftdene
• Westcliff
• Moorton
• Woodhurst
• Bayview
• Umhlatuzana
• Kharwastan
• Silverglen
• Shallcross
• Merebank
• Welbedacht
• Phoenix
• Effingham
• Mount Edgecombe
• Clare Estate
• Kenville
• Sydenham
• Redhill
• Springfield
• Asherville
• Avoca
• Bonella
• Reservoir Hills
• Isipingo
• Malagazi
• Newlands
• Parlock
In view of the subsidy from the Department, DAFTA presently maintains:
• Five centers in formal townships i.e. Crossmoor, Westcliff and Shallcross in Chatsworth and Brinkvale and Nedgreen in Phoenix.
• Three centers in semi-developed areas i.e. Welbedacht and Molweni which are situated to the west of Durban and Thandanani which is close to Inanda in the north.
NB: Membership is open to people 55 years of age and older. Service Centers provide day care services and are open five days a week and provide breakfast and lunch to members. It encompasses the meals on wheels/ foot programme with home visits and meals provided to bedbound and frail members.
There are 26 Senior Citizens Clubs affiliated to DAFTA. These are:
• Silverbay
• Pasadena
• Bayhaven
• Arena Park
• Rainbow
• Umhlatuzana
• Moorton
• Silverglen
• Woodhurst
• Merebank Service Committee
• 8 clubs in the Merebank area
• Luganda
• Bonella
• 2 clubs in Effingham
• Thornwood
• Zwelibomvu
• Qoqisiswe
• Kwandengezi
Service Centers have to be registered with the Dept. of Social Welfare and once registration is approved off, a Certificate of Registration is issued. Service Centers are subsidized according to three categories depending on services rendered:
Category 1 Service Center- minimum of 20 members-twice a week with minimum attendance per member being 6 hours per week. Subsidy- R50.00 per month
Category 2 Service Center- minimum of 40 members- three times a week with minimum attendance per member being 18 hours per week. Subsidy- R70.00 per month
Category 3 Service Center- minimum of 75 members- five days a week with minimum attendance by members being 30 hours per week. Subsidy- R80.00 per month
Service centers, service committees and clubs promote the ffg.
• Support for elderly persons to alleviate feelings of isolation and insecurity
• Access to recreational facilities and physically and mentally stimulating activities
• Access to social work services to address incidents of neglect and abuse
• Protection of elderly persons right to self determination and dignity
• Access to education, empowerment, skills training and development
Further, the service centers provide a safe and secure venue for activities and enable DAFTA to engage the members in the following programmes:
• Skills development and income generating projects such as bead making, pillow and cushion making etc. which is essential to enable our senior citizens to survive in these economically challenging times
• Provision of Meals on foot/wheels programme, for those members who are ill or bedbound
• Intergenerational Programmes and increased Peer interaction and support- senior citizens will have a base from which to organize religious, cultural and recreational activities and will be able interact with each other on a daily basis
• Empowerment Programmes will be facilitated on a regular basis, to reinforce the rights of the elderly and the service center or day care facility will decrease the risk of the elderly been isolated or subjected to abuse or neglect. Further, with the impact of the Hiv Pandemic, the role of the elderly as caregivers has increased, the Service Center will be a source of support for the elderly forced to care for abandoned and orphaned childen.
• Establishment of a Resource Center at the Service Center so that members could be provided with current information and adequate stimulation.
Activities at the Service Centers/Clubs include:
• Excursions, tours, vacations etc.
• Physical activities eg. Suitable light aerobic exercise, walking, volleyball, tennis, swimming etc.
• Recreational Activities eg. Card games, knitting, board games, singing etc.
• Stimulating Activities eg. Reading, crosswords, puzzles, staging of sketches, volunteering etc.
• Empowering Activities eg. Workshops, seminars, talks etc, ABET programmes etc.
• Commemorating Religious/National festivals eg. Deepavali, Eid, Christmas etc.
• Income generating activities eg. Food gardens, sewing, bead work etc.
The Service Centers affiliated to DAFTA are partially funded by the State for an average of 50 members but in most of the Centers, the membership exceeds 100 members.
This adequately demostrates the need for this service and the effectiveness of the Service Center Programme.
Most Service Centers such as Thandani (close to Inanda), have undertaken renovations and provide for their expanding membership through donations and sponsorships, but in the present economic climate, with many of our Service Centers and Clubs situated in already overburdened and disadvantaged communities, without adequate assistance from the state in subsidizing new members, meeting the needs of the expanding membership and maintaining the Service Centers is becoming virtually impossible, further burdening an already vulnerable group and also forcing Service Centers to turn away vulnerable elderly persons desperately in need of day care services.
Compounding the problem, certain areas in desperate need of Service Centers have not been funded or assisted to attain Service Center Status. The Merebank Service Committee has been in existance since 1975 and has 8 clubs affiliated to it, with a membership of +/- 1400. These senior citizens have been deprived of a Service Center and the accompaning services, programmes and activities.
Sibusiso Center which started off as an offshoot of the Welbedacht Service Center has grown and developed independently and is a model center in terms of the ABET programme and skills development and income generating programmes. This Center requires the status of a separate Service Center.
The Luganda Club which is situated in an impoverished area, close to Welbedacht and Pinetown has grown steadily in membership. This area is under-resourced in respect of Senior Citizens, many of which care for orphaned and abandoned children. Funding for establishing and sustaining a Service Center in this community will provide invaluable support and assistance to these Senior Citizens.
Membership at Senior Citizens clubs have also increased and range from 30 to 100. These clubs are not funded by the state. However, many of these clubs meet the requirement for funding as luncheon clubs which will take the financial burden of the elderly members who have to meet their own costs despite the limited state pension and present economic recession.
There is an urgent need for the subsidies for members at the Service Centers to be reviewed as the the present membership far exceeds the funding received from the State.
Attached, is information pertaining to this aspect, as well as details of clubs whose status should be upgraded to that of Service Centers and information pertaining to those clubs which qualify for status as luncheon clubs.
DAFTA
NPO 002 333
PH:+2731 404-4821
Fund Raising Chairman : Krish Moodley
Mobile: +2784 391 9393
Postal Address :
P.O. Box 4671
Durban
4000
Physical Address :
6 Nedgreen Tce
Greenbury
Phoenix
4068
