Issued by: Ministry for Welfare and Population Development
STATEMENT BY WELFARE AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT MINISTER GERALDINE FRASER-MOLEKETI ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR OLDER PERSONS
OCTOBER 1 1997
As we today celebrate the International Day for Older Persons - I think it is fitting to also pay tribute to them, especially those who have distinguished themselves with their outstanding contribution in the political, sports, cultural and socio-economic spheres.
Among these veterans are President Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada, Walter Sisulu, Wilton Mkwayi, Raymond Mhlaba, Frene Ginwala, Helen Suzman, Beyers Naude, Harry Oppenheimer, Wally Hayward, Eric Sturgess, Bob Hewitt, Frew McMillan, Dan Qeqe, Ntemi Piliso, Jonas Gwangwa, and many others.
As Minister for Welfare and Population Development, charged with administering social security from which old age pensions are drawn today I recommit myself to protecting the dignity and well-being of older persons, who should be fully integrated in all spheres of societal activities. Their expertise and wisdom is important.
Of the 1997/98 Welfare Budget of R14.2 billion, social security makes up 87.7% - with 44% going to old age pensions. This year's budget saw social grants increasing from R430 to R470 for old age pensioners and war veterans, persons with disabilities and to care-givers of children with disabilities.
In line with our policy of reprioritisation and taking into account financial constraints, the new developmental approach to welfare delivery advocates a shift away from expensive institutional models of care to community-based care programmes. Institutional care should, therefore, be reserved for the frail who cannot be cared for by their families.
New criteria for admitting older persons to old age homes have been developed and are being tested countrywide to ensure that these institutions only provide care for the frail.
Most provinces have already implemented this new frail care policy which has resulted in savings. It is planned that these savings will be re-directed to community-based programmes.
A new funding formula for frail care was implemented by the Department of Welfare in may 1996 with the focus on persons with limited income, as well as the manner in which these institutions are managed. In the post-apartheid era in which Government is still redressing imbalances of the past, we also need to take cognisance of the racial and geographic imbalances in the provision of the care for the older persons.
The development of appropriate norms and standards for frail care is critical to the success of the new ageing policy. The Department of Welfare is engaged in negotiations with the Department of Health. The challenge is to deregulate services without endangering the well-being of residents and increasing the professional risk for staff. Pilot projects will soon be launched to develop models for community based support, criteria for funding as well minimum norms and standards.
The Department subsidises a total of 721 old age homes with an average turnover of 47 044 elderly persons.
To enhance the role the community should play in integrating older persons into society, the Department of Welfare will be holding a national meeting on 6 October 1997 in Johannesburg, where role players on ageing and older persons themselves, will start planning for the International Year of Older People in 1999. This year will serve to launch the new ageing dispensation, and to implement, revise and develop new policies.
ISSUED: MS GERALDINE FRASER-MOLEKETI, MP MINISTER FOR WELFARE AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT
ENQUIRIES: BRIAN SOKUTU, PRESS SECRETARY CELL: 082-807-5397