All private residential facilities that have frail care units for older persons are required to be registered with the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD).
The provincial DSD’s role as stipulated in the Older Persons Act, No 13 of 2006, is to register residential facilities and to monitor adherence to norms and standards of care within facilities.
“It is unlawful for any facility to provide frail care accommodation services to older persons without being registered with DSD. This is done to ensure that elderly citizens residing in old age homes are treated with dignity and respect,” said the Western Cape Minister for Social Development, Sharna Fernandez.
In the Western Cape, there is a total of 288 old age homes of which, 116 are funded by the provincial DSD. Although the department provides funding to some homes, all old age homes are owned and managed independently.
Residential facilities already funded by this department do not need to submit their contact details as we are already aware of their services.
The following facilities need to apply for registration:
· Residential facilities not funded by this department and rendering accommodation and 24-hour care and services to older persons.
· Facilities where older persons or frail older persons are cared for or accommodated, such as boarding houses, shelters and even private homes.
· Retirement villages that render care and services to older persons in a sickbay.
The Department invites both individuals and organisations to submit the name of their establishment, along with full contact details, to Debra.Fortuin@westerncape.gov.za or to Department of Social Development, Private Bag X9112, Cape Town 8000.
For more information about our other services, please refer to the Western Cape Department’s Website below:
Joshua Covenant Chigome
Spokesperson for the Minister of Social Development, Minister Sharna Fernandez
Tel: 021 483 9217
Cell: 083 661 4949