Audit of Residential Facilities, Final report - Division for Social Policy ...

A capacity building programme should also look at issues such as assertiveness training,diversity awareness, self-esteem and other life skills7. Sustainability / Funding It is recommended that funding policies should be re-addressed as many of the lessaffluent homes are struggling to maintain health care standards.At the same time funding programmes such as an outreach programme, etc needs to beseriously considered as opposed to funding peopleAt the same time the Department could assist home managers and fund-raisers inexploring a sustainability strategy that addresses various options that include not onlyfinancial sustainability but also human resources and skills transferImplementing some of the norms and standards requires funding which the Departmentmust consider, particularly in the homes that are less resourced and under-developed.8. Multiple use of facilities For the sake of the safety of the residents, the patients as well as the staff Governmentshould look at separate facilities (or sections of the same facility) to accommodatepatients with Alzheimer‟s, dementia and mental illnesses. These require specialised formsof care as well and trained specialist staff required to provide optimum care9. Volunteers The volunteer component at the Homes should be increased, both to enhance themedical services and recreational activities as well as for fundraising activities. Thereshould be a better strategy to recruit, train and place support volunteers especially inblack areas where volunteers are more lacking10. Basic Service Delivery The situation with homes where their basic service delivery needs are been ignored orwhere it is only intermittent needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Discussionsbetween the DSD at the highest level and its counterpart in local government regardingthe regular interruptions in the supply of electricity and water need to take place urgently. NGOs should also be lobbying government around this issue11. Homes that require support for basic infrastructure A special fund should also be created for homes that fall into specific sub-economiccategories. Extra money should come from this fund and be given to homes as repairs for83 | D S D A u d i t o f R e s i d e n t i a l F a c i l i t i e s