For over 30 years, La Gratitude has cared for Newcastle’s elderly community. Yet, for the past three years, the entity has faced immense storms, valiantly fighting against challenges that have plagued the home.
In this difficult situation, La Gratitude’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jomari Batista, noted that the facility is under immense pressure due to a shortage of nursing staff and is struggling to provide the critical clinical care needed by its residents and emergency admissions.
“20% to 25% of our current care residents require critical clinical care,” highlighted Batista, emphasising the urgent need for more professional nurses.
Currently, one professional nurse is responsible for an average of 108 residents during the day shift due to financial constraints. “During the night shift, there are no registered sisters on duty, only on call,” explained Batista, painting a stark picture of the challenges faced.
The financial difficulties are compounded by a lack of increase in subsidies from the Department of Social Development for over five years. Additionally, the recent reduction in subsidies for state pensioners, amounting to thousands per month, has worsened the situation, forcing La Gratitude to cover the shortfall. “The Department of Health also has budget constraints, limiting many meds, provision of nappies diabetic sticks,” she explained, adding that at times they received less of these items than was needed.
Despite these overwhelming financial challenges, Batista assured that the frail care section of La Gratitude will continue to operate.
However, she emphasised that the high cost of clinical care continues to create financial hardships for the organisation. “We face ongoing challenges to meet the growing nursing and medical assistance needs of our residents and the older community,” explained Batista.
In response to these challenges, La Gratitude is taking innovative steps to improve its financial standing. The facility is currently upgrading its Apricot and Lilac Wings, transforming the rooms into comfortable and modern spaces.
The rooms will now each feature exquisite beds, linen, a chest of drawers, a desk, and built-in panic buttons for emergencies. Four of the rooms are designated for residents who pay for their stay in full and will include single beds instead of two beds, state-of-the-art ensuite bathrooms, two panic buttons in the bathroom area, and a third panic button in the room itself.
The other rooms are for those who are State pensioners and will see a double room made more homely, and carry the same features as the four rooms, except they will not have ensuite bathrooms.
Furthermore, La Gratitude will also provide WiFi for all its residents, making the home a true haven for the elderly. A private donor has helped cover the costs of the work done so far on the four rooms, and a second donor has contributed funds to begin the necessary work in the other rooms of the two wings.
“There are also plans to open a coffee shop and a gym for the elderly,” added Batista, highlighting that La Gratitude is working towards becoming a frail care lifestyle facility to enhance revenue and better care for the elderly in Newcastle.
Through these upgraded rooms and more projects in the pipeline, La Gratitude hopes to attract new residents, ensuring a bright future for the home and providing vital support for elderly community members in need. It will also mean that more revenue could be received to secure more nursing personnel to care for the residents.
Despite the financial difficulties, Batista remains determined to keep La Gratitude afloat. With its residents needing constant care and affection and its 114 staff members working tirelessly around the clock, transforming La Gratitude into a frail care lifestyle centre will not be easy and will require the community’s support.
“We have reached out to various generous businesses and organisations for assistance with the necessary work, and we are now waiting for a response,” explained Batista.
With two donors already assisting with some of the work, Newcastillians are urged to come forward and help La Gratitude upgrade its premises. It should be remembered that La Gratitude also serves as a place of safety for elderly residents who have faced abuse or are in dire financial situations. Ensuring the facility’s future is strong means safeguarding these vulnerable individuals.
For those wishing to help develop the home, you can contact La Gratitude on 034 315 5466 or visit the facility at 57 Bird Street.
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