OLD AGE RESCUE (OAR) needs help to renovate our safe house (victim facility) for the elderly who are in need of temporary accommodation before re-settling in a safe environment. Heavy rainstorms damaged several ceilings, walls and carpets, as well as bedding and cupboards. We support and help in cases of threats to safety or health, abandonment, neglect, inability to cope and those facing eviction or hunger because they can no longer afford the rent. The safe house provides temporary shelter while seeking alternative accommodation. It is also a place where they can speak out without fear. Most of the people we help are old age pensioners with a total monthly income of only R1, 690.00. There is a huge shortage of affordable accommodation for the elderly, and it is almost impossible to find suitable, affordable accommodation on short notice. It is, therefore, necessary to accommodate them in a safe house for a short period of time.
The facility is temporarily closed for urgent renovations and needs to re-open by 1 July 2018. Urgent renovations amount to R16, 780.00 – all quotes are valid until 31 May 2018. Please help us to help them. The elderly are not “old enough to take care of themselves”.
MORE INFO:
Why do the elderly need a safe house?
Neglect and abuse of the elderly is a very common social problem. Top Ten problems that lead to the need for intervention:
-Abandonment
-Neglect
-Abuse
-Dementia
-Health or hygiene problems
-Lack of coping skills
-Financial problems
-Lack of financial management skills
-Exploitation
-Ignorance
There is no moral or legal justification for elderly abandonment, neglect or abuse. Your parents are not someone else’s problem, they are your problem. Your in-law parents have the same rights to protection and support as your own parents. Parents have a right to sue their children for support. It is not their fault if they have to resort to legal action for protection, and it does not make them a bad parent. If a person cannot actively care for his or her parent, then they should at least contribute to their support – even if they have to do it anonymously. A victim facility is not a “dump” for unwanted parents, and we encourage families to seek counselling to deal with “difficult” parents that they are able and willing to help support. Alternatively, they can approach an old age home or care centre if the family can afford it, or the Department of Social Service for assistance.
It is not difficult to identify someone who is guilty of parental neglect. 13 May 2018 was Mother’s Day. There are many who did not know where their mother was or what she had to eat. Neglect is passive abuse, neglect is abandonment. Listen to what others say about their parents, there is no excuse that justifies parental neglect, abandonment or abuse. Speak out! You may measure your success by your current bank balance, but the way you treat your parents may be the only currency you have to trade with when you are old. Listen to the elderly, they are not necessarily ungrateful, difficult, or crazy if they complain, it may be a cry for help. Old age is not necessarily an indication of guilt or lack of intelligence. It is victimization if the elderly is accused of abuse to be excused. People don’t break their own ribs or bruise themselves because they want attention or sympathy. Unfortunately, there are many incidents of elderly abuse that are not reported because those who are supposed to care for the elderly don’t know how to care for them.
Injuries are seldom self-inflicted and if someone is in an environment where they suffer an injury or have a reason to complain, then they are in danger. Withholding care, support, food or medication is not a justifiable punishment for being “difficult” – it is a CRIME. Use often becomes abuse, observe how the elderly are treated by their children or grandchildren when they are no longer needed as nannies or housekeepers, or to help balance the household budget. A parent should not be abandoned or neglected because they are no longer “useful”. Anyone who lives with an elderly person without financial contribution is guilty of abuse. Senior citizens are seldom able to “help out” or support others because they can barely support themselves.
Please report those that are guilty of parental neglect or abuse. Society’s worth is measured by the amount of care and respect that they show for their elderly and their children. If you suspect that someone is neglecting their parent(s), you can report it to the Department of Social Service or a welfare organisation. To report parental abuse or elderly abuse contact the SAPS.
But please DON’T IGNORE THE PROBLEM!
Thinking about elderly care?
If you are planning to open an old age facility, please do it legally and responsibly. There are too many elderly that suffer at the hands of their “rescuers”. When working with the elderly, no one needs to be cruel to be kind. The forgotten generation, few people know that 1 October is Senior Citizens day, and many such days have passed without public fuss. Mother’s day and Father’s day are for the family – Senior Citizen’s day is for all elderly people because they’re all worthy of care.
Please help us to make these renovations, to ensure that we can continue being a safe haven for the elderly.
Thank you,
Kind regards
Carol