The Kensington Home for the Aged has been serving the destitute from various communities in Cape Town for many years and recently celebrated their 41st anniversary in the company of residents situated on the premises. Unfortunately due to the centre’s management unable to keep up with operating expenses, the organization could soon find themselves shutting down, leaving residents homeless. Speaking to VOC Afternoon Cruise, the centre’s manager Brian Beck issued an urgent appeal to the broader community to help raise funds.
“It still haunts me very much to think that this home might shut down one of these days due to financial problems. With 110 elderly residents cared for at the home who needs to be seen to 24/7, I cannot imagine how it will affect them...” Beck said the history of this home speaks for its self. Taking charge of the facility for the past four months, made him realise how much had been into this home. He said the home has always reached out to the other communities as well, including Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Bishop Lavis.
“In the past we were allocated to certain standards and building restrictions, so we are confined in supplying the accommodation for the 110 people. With fundraising being done, I am hoping to increase the space.” Beck said that not only does the elderly need to be seen to every day, but they also have a daily staff team dedicated to the home.
“Regardless of money being given out on food, medication and necessary items for the old age, we also have 63 staff members in total that needs to be paid each month for their effort and 24/7 attendance at the home,” he explained. With an annual short flow of R462 000 per annum, he fears that they might not be able to pay staff. “Any business is governed by the flow of income and your cash flow. When you look at the annual short flow per annum, it is very scary. Since we’ve gone public and drawn the media to our plight – I am certain that there are many people out there who will see the need to help us especially the destitute and elderly,” he said.
At the moment, the centre receives R295,000 a month from social services and spends a lot on nursing care during the month, with the bulk of it for salaries. The centre spends R132,000 for nursing care alone. “We service everything for the frail and care for them, servicing them with daily clinic checkups and fulltime nursing staff. We have 23 nursing members as well, under a registered sister who comes in every week and does a great job with ill residents, and not forgetting our cooks too. So we have to bear in mind that all these aspects are necessary at the home,’’ he said.
In the meantime, the home’s management are calling on surrounding communities to support their small market days held at the home every month to raise funds in order to continue their services. If you would like to know more about the home or how you can contribute you can contact Beck on 021-5932274. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
“It still haunts me very much to think that this home might shut down one of these days due to financial problems. With 110 elderly residents cared for at the home who needs to be seen to 24/7, I cannot imagine how it will affect them...” Beck said the history of this home speaks for its self. Taking charge of the facility for the past four months, made him realise how much had been into this home. He said the home has always reached out to the other communities as well, including Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Bishop Lavis.
“In the past we were allocated to certain standards and building restrictions, so we are confined in supplying the accommodation for the 110 people. With fundraising being done, I am hoping to increase the space.” Beck said that not only does the elderly need to be seen to every day, but they also have a daily staff team dedicated to the home.
“Regardless of money being given out on food, medication and necessary items for the old age, we also have 63 staff members in total that needs to be paid each month for their effort and 24/7 attendance at the home,” he explained. With an annual short flow of R462 000 per annum, he fears that they might not be able to pay staff. “Any business is governed by the flow of income and your cash flow. When you look at the annual short flow per annum, it is very scary. Since we’ve gone public and drawn the media to our plight – I am certain that there are many people out there who will see the need to help us especially the destitute and elderly,” he said.
At the moment, the centre receives R295,000 a month from social services and spends a lot on nursing care during the month, with the bulk of it for salaries. The centre spends R132,000 for nursing care alone. “We service everything for the frail and care for them, servicing them with daily clinic checkups and fulltime nursing staff. We have 23 nursing members as well, under a registered sister who comes in every week and does a great job with ill residents, and not forgetting our cooks too. So we have to bear in mind that all these aspects are necessary at the home,’’ he said.
In the meantime, the home’s management are calling on surrounding communities to support their small market days held at the home every month to raise funds in order to continue their services. If you would like to know more about the home or how you can contribute you can contact Beck on 021-5932274. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)
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