Lar Francisco de Assis, a traditional institution located in Núcleo Bandeirante, reported that it no longer has the financial and administrative conditions to continue operating. This situation leaves 27 elderly people dependent on the location who risk finding themselves destitute. Of this total, five have no family ties.
The commission that manages the home sent a statement to the Public Ministry for the Elderly (Projid) indicating that there is a lack of resources even for basic expenses, such as food, salaries, medicines, water and energy. The institution’s accounts are blocked by the courts and there are salary, tax and supplier debts.
According to the intervention committee, the current crisis is a consequence of problems accumulated over the years. Fernando Ferreira, a member of the group that took over the leadership a few months ago, says the former directors acted irresponsibly and detrimental to the institution.
“When we took over the house in July, we found frozen accounts, suspended contracts, accumulated debts and unpaid employees. The current committee is made up of volunteers, donors and supporters who are trying to keep the place open, even with limited resources.”
Ban in May
The institution once housed 37 elderly people, but that number dwindled after a crisis in May, when the energy supply was cut off for non-payment. The house started running with a generator and the families were informed of the situation.
On May 9 and 10, eight elderly people were evacuated by their families and one was transferred to another institution. The mass escape reduced the total number of people taken in to around 27 – a number that remains to this day.
At the time, the debts exceeded R$100,000, including R$60,000 with Neoenergia and at least R$38,000 in salary arrears. The then president resigned from his position and the matter was reported to the Elderly Attorney’s Office and the Social Development Secretariat.
The fate of the elderly
Today, with the announcement of the bankruptcy, the Public Ministry of the Federal District and Territories (MPDFT) filed a public civil action to guarantee continuity of care and prevent the 27 elderly people from being left without care.
The MPDFT also demanded that the Federal District Government (GDF) be obliged to provide emergency aid, as the law prevents the abrupt closure of institutions that care for the elderly.
In response, the Secretariat for Social Development (Sedes-DF) indicated that it had been informed by the MPDFT of the closure of the activities of Lar Francisco de Assis and that it had already adopted measures.
“We are caring for the 26 elderly people concerned. Only five have no family ties and all are already on the waiting list, awaiting vacancies adapted to the needs of each case.”
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