ONCE AGAIN it is that time when our Seniors take the spotlight during a week of activities planned by the National Council for Senior Citizens each year.
This Council, is one of those activist organisations that goes about its business without displaying placards, blocking roads and stirring heated controversy. Underfunded and undersubscribed, yet under the leadership of Dr. Denise Eldemire-Shearer, the Council raises its activist voice loudly as it seeks to improve the lives of older Jamaicans through education and advocacy.
And Dr. Shearer can claim some successes in winning benefits for seniors, such as the drug for the elderly programme. Besides, the Council also sees to it through its powerful islandwide network of Senior Citizens Clubs that the elderly are provided with social opportunities to meet with their peers and import their wisdom and skills.
But what is government doing to improve the delivery of community-based services to the elderly? International researchers have found that caregivers who look after elderly relatives are highly stressed. The figures point to an alarming six of every 10 caregivers developing depression. This means there is a desperate need for the establishment of centres where seniors can be cared for during the day.
The way a society treats its elderly reflects its deepest values. And the question is are we failing in our duties to protect those who have served well and faithfully? Are families doing enough to ensure that their seniors are comfortable?
Often we hear horror stories of the hard times that have overtaken many of the country's retirees as they try live out their lives on their meagre pensions. The government has a responsibility to see that in the twilight of their years, their dignity is preserved. This can only come about if there are regular revisions of pension benefits and meaningful increases.
The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner.
