Video

GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEO - The management of Rosemoor Home for the Aged is struggling to make ends meet following budget cuts, rising costs and dwindling support from the public and residents' relatives.

This is the only facility in George that caters for those who cannot afford to pay for a retirement home. 

These elderly, frail men and women, who cannot stay with their children, have nowhere else to go.

The home's manager, Sister Charmaine Titus, says they are just coping by taking things day by day and month by month. "It is an ongoing struggle to provide in the needs of our 98 residents, and we have a waiting list as long as my arm."

"We are in need of food for healthy meals, other groceries, cleaning materials and toiletries. Most of our residents have to use adult diapers and need special skin treatments. These are expensive items, but we cannot do without it."

Lots of high fives for Sister Charmaine Titus and her team who have transformed the home into a haven for the elderly.

High standards

In spite of these challenges, Titus and her staff are doing a sterling job. When Titus took over the reigns at Rosemoor Home for the Aged three years ago, she knew a tough task lay ahead. Over the years the old age home has been in the news a number of times for all the wrong reasons and had been placed under administration by the Department of Social Development in 2015. But Titus turned the ship around by raising the standards of care and patiently changed the image of the home to that of a beacon of hope for the needy elderly in the community. But with budget cuts, dwindling donations and inflation, keeping up the good work is no walk in the park. Due to a lack of funds, the 58-strong workforce received only 50% of their salaries in June.

The home needs many staff members as they work shifts and caring for the elderly and infirm involves around the clock, 24/7 care.

VIDEO - Old age home in need touches hearts:

Johan Munday is the chairman of the residents committee and Sister Titus' right-hand man.

Funding sustained

Esther Lewis, spokesperson of the Department of Social Development, says funding for compliant 24-hour residential care facilities was sustained despite budget cuts to the Older Persons Programme in the 2024/25 financial year.

She says thanks to the reprioritisation of existing funds, funding was sustained in spite of a budget shortfall of R18 337 000.

Rosemoor Home for the Aged is subsidised for 91 bed spaces and the department sustained its 2023/24 funding allocation to the home for residential care. Government funding is a partial subsidy and does not cover the full costs of NPO operations. "We therefore encourage the public and private sector to continue their support of NPOs and fundraising initiatives. If any old age home closes, where feasible, the residents would move back to their families. If this is not possible, then DSD will assist to find alternative accommodation in other old age homes," says Lewis.

Soldiering on

But Titus says she will not allow things to come to this. "We are making an appeal to the public, and especially to the relatives of our residents, to assist with the everyday care of their parents and grandparents. We are not asking for much. If you know that your mother needs diapers or a special type of soap or cream, please help us with these items. Reach out to us. Come and speak to me so that we can work out a plan and ensure the very best care for your mother or father.

Representatives of any organisation, church, school or business that find themselves in a position to help, are welcome to visit me at the home. I am extremely proud of what we manage to achieve with the little we have. Everyone is well cared for and we make our facility as homely, welcoming, safe and loving as we possibly can."

Residents enjoy the dappled sunlight on the veranda overlooking the garden at the back of the home.

Future plans

Titus says maintenance like plumbing and general upkeep of the building is another challenge.

"We don't ask for money. If you donate goods or lend us your skills and time it would be wonderful. What we need is for entities to adopt us on a long-term basis. People who help us can visit any time to see how their donations or contributions are being used. We would love to create a proper recreation area for our residents where they can knit, play cards, socialise and just enjoy themselves, so if there are handymen and builders out there who can help, please come forward."

Diane Kershaw, chairperson of George Rotary, also appeals to Georgians to help where they can and says keeping the morale of staff up while there is no money will become increasingly difficult. She says Titus can only do so much to inspire workers if they don't get paid in full. "Rotary supports the home, but much more is needed. Please help this wonderful old age home overcome its problems. It is the only one providing this service in George and a gem that is worth preserving for current and future residents."

Let's help

See Sister Titus' plea in Jeff Ayliffe's touching video of the facility and its residents at georgeherald.com and on the Group Editors Live YouTube channel.

Please help ensure the longevity and high standard of care at Rosemoor Home for the Aged by contacting Sister Charmaine Titus on 082 598 5317 or 044 871 1342 or on her email at  ctitus.rosemoorhome@gmail.com. 

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’