Family Neglect of the Elderly Decreases at Fiennes

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You & Your Family

Monday, 31 December 2012 02:30

By Carol Williams

Antigua, St. John's - After years of complaints that families are neglecting their elderly members housed at the Fiennes Institute, the Master of the institution is reporting an about turn.

Alton Forde said 2012 saw a significant improvement in visits over the previous year.

He believes this may be linked to new residents, who were accepted following the deaths  of others through natural causes.

One of the most known was super centenarian Irene Carlos who passed away in September at the age of 110, and was accorded an official funeral.

"We're hoping that they will continue to visit," Forde said. "We have been in dialogue with the relatives as they come in regarding the welfare of the residents they're related to and we encourage them, as we've always done, to come and visit."

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Friends and well-wishers have also been visiting the 63 people residing at the state-run institution.

However, while there has been a "small fall-off" in contributions of toiletries, food items and others products, particularly around the Christmas season, Forde said the donations were still substantial.

"We had a number of corporate businesses making their usual Christmas lunch donations and we had a number of individuals coming on board as well as providing lunches," he said.

Forde, who also has responsibility for the CARE project at Holberton Hospital, said significant contributions and gifts have been made to the seven residents there.

The CARE project falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Social Transformation and provides food and shelter to underprivileged children who are orphaned, abused or have special needs.

There are currently six children and one adult residing there ranging from 7 to 20 years old.

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