If you worry that your dearly beloved elder needs 24-hour assistance, did you know that you can place them in a government-run older person’s care facility?
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The December holidays are usually not a very festive time for the country’s elderly. Family often go their separate ways at this time of year and it’s the aged who are left fending for themselves alone.
OLDER PERSON’S CARE FACILITY
However, did you know that if you or an elderly family member is receiving a SASSA older person’s grant and is over the age of 60, you can apply for a bed in an older person’s care facility?
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To qualify for admission, you or the elder must be in need of full-time assistance. But they must also:
- Be 60-years of age or older.
- A South African citizen.
- Receive an older person’s grant or government pension.
HERE’S HOW YOU GO ABOUT PLACEMENT
Contact the Department of Social Development (DSD) office to find the nearest suitable older person’s care facility. Note admission is dependent on availability of beds. Below are some useful contacts:
- Click HERE to find the DSD provincial coordinators you require (scroll down to page 20)
- Social Development Call Centre: 012 312 7727
- SASSA Call Centre: 0800 601 011
- Postbank Call Centre: 0800 535 455 (related to SASSA/SAPO cards)
- Mental Health Information Line: 0800 567 567
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While not a detailed list, according to SASSAcheck.com there are older person’s care facilities at the following locations:
- North West: Rustenburg Old Age Home
- Western Cape: Athlone Old Age Home
- Gauteng: Boksburg Old Age Home, Alexandra Old Age Home, Eldorado Park Old Age Home, Golden Harvest Old Age Home, Lenasia South Old Age Home, Protea Glen Old Age Home, Randburg Old Age Home, Roodepoort Old Age Home, South Hills Old Age Home, Soweto Old Age Home, Krugersdorp Old Age Home
- Pretoria: Pretoria North Old Age Home
- KwaZulu-Natal: Durban North Old Age Home, Isipingo Old Age Home, KwaMashu Old Age Home, Phoenix Old Age Home, Pietermaritzburg Old Age Home
- Limpopo: Polokwane Old Age Home
- Mpumalanga: Nelspruit Old Age Home
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COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM
Visit an approved government facility and complete an application form. You will need a valid South African identity document and recent medical report. All application forms must be completed on-site and costs may vary.
ALSO READ: Everything you NEED when applying for a SASSA Old Age Pension
As part of the admission process the elder will undergo a screening test. If the person is too old or sick to travel, a family member/friend may apply on their behalf. A social worker will then arrange a home visit to assess current living conditions and whether 24-hour care is needed.
ALSO READ: HOW to pass the SASSA Means Test
If an application to an older person’s care facility is not approved you must get a reason in handwriting. You can then appeal to the Department of Social Development (DSD). Applications are processed within 14 working days and you should reach out to the DSD if you have not received a response within a month.
NEXT READ: When must you reapply for a SASSA Old Person’s Grant?
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