Lack of timely payment offees hurting care homes

THE EDITOR: The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services has an umbrella of services. One of these, provided by the Division of Aging (DoA), is the Community Care Programme through which displaced older people are placed in private care homes and a monthly fee of between $2,000 and $4,500 is paid to the homes based on the individual assessment and diagnosis.

It was agreed that payment would be made no later than the seventh of each month for each client. However, these fees are not being paid monthly and the DoA is in arrears for three-four months – and more in some cases.

Lack of timely payment to these care homes results in neglect and institutional abuse, which ultimately leads to lack of food, medication and toiletries needed to care for the residents. As well as the inability to pay staff, rent and utilities, bringing the homes into disrepute.

Despite numerous calls to the DoA and the accounts department of the ministry there is no word as to when funds will be released. It is crucial for residential care homes to plan and budget and to receive timely payments for their day-to-day functioning and to provide a high standard of care for our residents, which is our duty.

During this covid19 pandemic, care homes, some of which were paid April 20 for February, leaving three months still outstanding, are close to going into foreclosure, bankruptcy or increased depth. No support has been given to help manage the crisis or maintain the standard of care to which residents are entitled.

Furthermore, in our attempt to seek help from the Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life, the TT Residential Care Association was told that homes would have to pay a membership fee of $1,200. Since then we have been without PPE to help fight the spread of the virus if its reaches to our doorstep.

We are in need of critical support and the outstanding fees to help us through these critical times.

BRENT RAMROOP

managing director

Brent’s Manor Ltd