The president of the Dominica Council on Ageing (DCOA) Gloria Shillingford says abuse of the elderly remains a matter of concern for the association.
“We continue year after year talking about the abuse that our elderly suffers both at home and sometimes in the very institutions. We think that they are safe when we put them there. One of the things that I had hoped during my tenure as the president, was to ensure that something is done about the abuse of our elderly.”
She said that although everything she planned in that regard may not have taken place, she is hoping that somehow even if it is not during her tenure as president, she will continue to fight for and on behalf of the elderly to ensure that at some point in time, they are not being abused as is happening right now.
Also speaking on the matter of the elderly was advocate, Tina Alexander, who pointed to the need for a shelter for the elderly on island.
“The people who are most vulnerable are even more vulnerable than they were and we really need your help. My special project for you is that we need a shelter that is specially for elderly people.”
Alexander mentioned that the shelters, schools, people’s home and churches do not have the special facility that is adaptive for the elderly. She said she would love for there to be a shelter in every community.
“ I know that’s a tall order but let’s start with one or two that are demonstrating how good they can be. One of the things PHARCS does is it sets the bar high for standard of care for the elderly and we would like to see a model shelter for the elderly where people could not just be temporarily, but actually to the medium term.”
The elderly and the children are the two most vulnerable groups in the country. They are often physically, verbally and emotionally abused. The institutions and organizations that should protect these people are, for the most part, inadequate. I find that people and areas the government and civil society should pay great attention to are mostly given scant attention. Our children are our most precious resources, our elders have paved the roads and paths for us to succeed. It is therefore incumbent on us, and more particularly the State, to protect these two very powerless groups of citizens.
Abuse against the elder has always been given a blind eye in the world. This is why I have always supported the programmes implemented by governments for caring for our elders. I remember attending a council on aging forum a few years back discussing the different types of abuse that our elders suffer including the top Financial, verbal abuse, and neglect. How do we mitigate these issues? I suggest we can start with advocacy as with abuse against women and children.
The both ladies are right, They both say they are fighting for the elderly. Not first time I am hearing that kind of call.
Children are not safe also. The Institutions they set up to take care of the children and the elder-lies are a failure.
Majority of people that staff these organizations get jobs along political lines and are not trained.
There is a place they call “CHANCES” house of safety for children. what are there success rate ?
How many children got rehabilitated ?
Unless things are not done properly, No one will be cared for properly.
there will always be abuse in the system.
proper screening must take place to better the the treatment of does in need (the elderly/children)
Well said Tina .
It’s ashame you in this position and you are talking now. What happen to you when you was a minister, never thought of this time. When people like you all in position, life must be 360 degrees so when you are in position think of life all the time in various aspects.
So what am asking you, you are still close to the government. Tell the government to stop the abuse of the elderly and that of the young women in society . So when the DCOA is meeting the government ask them to stop the abuse of the elderly and that of young persons as Mrs Tina Alexander and the rest have beed pounding.
It is my firm conviction that the whole world is becoming more and more uncaring and insensitive. In Dominica, and other parts of this mundane sphere, the elderly citizens are treated like derelict vehicles. Many of them are just cast aside to fend for themselves especially if they are destitute. Too many endure a physically, mentally and emotionally painful life. They suffer in silence. Hunger and ailments are their only constant companions. We have to do better as a country and as a people. The government should do much more. The families of these people who desert them should hang their heads in eternal shame.