Social Transformation Caters to Needy Seniors

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You & Your Family

Thursday, 14 June 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John’s – As Antigua & Barbuda prepares to observe World Day against Elder Abuse, financial abuse and neglect of elderly people stand out as two of the main issues affecting seniors in Antigua & Barbuda.

So said Chief Welfare Aide Carlstein Quinland as she outlined the programmes promoted by the Ministry of Social Transformation, through the Citizens’ Welfare Division - Residential Assistance and Care programme for the Elderly and Eligible (GRACE) to advance awareness, understanding and support of seniors’ current and evolving needs.

In a release, Quinland said the ministry’s programmes were initiated in 2004 and have helped improve the lives of approximately 2,000 elderly persons to date. Support for these social outreach programmes is being provided by partners from across all levels of government, the voluntary and not-for-profit sector, and the Seniors Council.

Among the social and development programmes from which elderly Antiguans and Barbudans benefit are a monthly stipend of $255 for non-pensionable seniors 70 years and older; relief via the Senior Citizens Utility Subsidy of $100 per month to offset electricity, water or telephone bills under the PetroCaribe Agreement; the provision of home care under the GRACE Unit; Home improvement grants of $2,500; and a $215 per month subsidy to disabled and qualified economically disadvantaged persons under the People’s Benefit Programme.

The Chief Welfare Aide added that elderly citizens in the low income group can access a special monetary grant of $2,500 to maintain their properties. This is provided under the Home Improvement Grant and is administered by the Board of Guardians.

Since the launch of the Home Improvement Grant in March 2007, more than 80 persons have benefitted, and approximately 20 applications are currently being processed.

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Further, through the Board of Guardians, benefits for mentally challenged and destitute elderly persons have increased from $45 to $100 fortnightly, Quinland added.

Other services include the distribution of food packages, done in collaboration with the community.

“Each year we have different programmes where we take the elderly out on excursions. Throughout the months of May and June we took them to the beach, and in July we will be taking them on an island tour to the historic sites,” Quinland said.

Plans are already in motion to stage an Elderly Queen Show to coincide with the October 1st observance of World Day for the Elderly.

She commented that programmes such as Age-Friendly Communities Initiative, Physical Activity Tips for Older Adults, and abuse prevention initiatives support positive and active aging.

The GRACE Programme, which is managed and coordinated by Nurse Brenda Bennett, serves to protect the elderly from abuse and hardship and ensure that they maintain their dignity by providing a number of social workers known as Elder Care Assistants to attend to them in their homes.

The Chief Welfare Aide is encouraging the public to report incidents of elder abuse by calling 562-7360/1.

And, on June 15th, World Day against Elder Abuse, everyone is asked to take a stand against elder abuse by wearing yellow.

Minister of Health, Social Transformation & Consumer Affairs Willmoth Daniel and Parliamentary Secretary Senator Malaka Parker had issued a joint statement to mark the occasion.

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