Some 32 senior citizens in Manchester recently graduated from a 14-week computer-training programme, sponsored by the National Library of Jamaica and the National Council for Senior Citizens.

At a graduation ceremony held at the Mandeville New Testament Church, Lorraine McLean, deputy director of the library service, region three, charged the seniors to use their knowledge to guide young people.

"Senior citizens are the jewels of the nation's human resource. They possess a wealth of experience and so, I charge you, who have been there, done that and still have a lot more to give, to offer yourselves and time and expertise in shaping our young people," McLean said.

Chief public health nurse for the parish, Tyra Turner, encouraged the seniors to engage in active ageing, where their concerns can be shared with others.

"It involves engagement in social groups where you interact with others who share the same issues that you are concerned with, it helps to show that you are not alone, and might just be enough to ease the mental stress, that our seniors go through from time to time," she said.

Be active

The health official noted that it is important for seniors to participate in social and cultural activities.

"Ageing must be seen as a progressing change in the biological and physical features of an individual. It is not a disease, nor does it cause diseases; it is a normal process in the human cycle, but if we fail to maintain an active lifestyle, we are likely to be socially and mentally challenged," Turner added.

- JIS