“There must be zero tolerance to elderly abuse”, President of the Dominica Council on Aging (DCOA), Zetma Toussaint has said.
She made that statement in an address to mark International Older Persons Day 2015, which is assigned by the United Nations’ (UN) and is celebrated annually on October 1. The day recognizes the contributions of older persons around the world and to examine issues affecting their lives.
“In our Dominican context there is not much to differentiate between the urban and rural settings, but there is scope for us to ensure that we include the elderly in whatever we do,” she said. “They should not be abused and exposed to the vagaries of unconscientious elements of our society who attempt to deprive them of their wealth, liberty and dignity.”
She said aging is an irreversible process, “it is inevitable and therefore must be considered as a process of humanity.”
“And it is for this reason that in a nation’s planning process we must ensure that the older persons are catered for and that no one is left behind, because in the next 15 years, by 2030, the population of older persons above 60 years worldwide will peak to 1.4-billion,” Toussaint explained.
According to her persons must be mindful as to where these “older persons will be in tomorrow’s world.”
“Will these persons be a burden or a challenge to us, or be a part of the process of advancement?” she asked. “And that will depend on how we treat them.”
International Older Persons Day 2015 is being celebrated under the theme: ‘Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment’.
The measure of any nation’s culture and refinement is seen it its care and protection of the elderly, the children, and other vulnerable members of society.
“Elder abused” is a problem in my own country. We are seeing it in unscrupulous businesses taking advantage of seniors. We are seeing it in neglect and hurt inflicted on elderly patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and senior’s residences. And sadly, even in children not showing proper care for their aging parents.
And yes, NOISE is a problem in some places.
As a nation advances so the quality of services provided for its seniors is seen to improve. We are all getting older. When I was younger this meant little to me. Now (I am 72) it become more important each passing year.
God says “Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long upon the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2,3)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
I sincerely hope the Gov’t of Dominica is listening to this advice. This shoul’d be a wake up call to them to give attention to the ‘NOISE ABATEMENT ACT’. At least require people who want to torture the elderly with loud music to pay a permit and keep raising the cost of the permit to play the dances they hold in the neighborhoods right next to the homes of the elderly in many communities in Dominica. With the ‘say nothin do nothing’ police looking on and saying or doing nothing to help these helpless elderly people. A bloody shameful situation for older people in Dominica. It stinks!
The elderly are still being neglected in this island of Dominica. After the storm so many older folks was not given a cup or bottled water to drink. Shame on you dominica. I told my neighbor he cried. I cried so much could stop crying. Angels in heaven vailed their faces that dreadful day. It is a day that will go down in histroy and the books of heaven. One think I learn and the bible say the poor will always be amongst us. Please please look out for the elderly. If Dominica wants a blessing they need to lookout for the elderl
Have u all ever stop and think. Did u guys learn a vital lesson from the storm. Love and care for the elderly. Charity begins at home.
Not enough is said in praise of Zetma Toussaint and those working with her in this field. I thank them and all who serve the same cause in my own country. They deserve our support. This is a work most of us can contribute something to. Lets do it and make our world a better place for ourselves and future generations.
Again, thank you Dominica Council on Aging (DCOA) and all who are like minded!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
When we are small and tiny our parents take care of us, feed clothed.bath,medicine and so on, if they get of age with us ,we pay back the compliments, but they get old and frail they should be placed in professional care. What is abuse? they can no longer control so we do what is right for them. If you think they are being abused take them into care
There must be zero tolerance to Governmentaly abuse”, people of Dominica Council on Corruption (DCOC), the people has said.
They made that statement in an address to mark International aide to Dominican post Erika.
“In our Dominican context there is not much to differentiate between the urban and rural settings, but there is scope for us to ensure that we exclude the corrput politicians and their enablers in whatever we do,” she said. “They should not be included and exposed to the temptations of unconscientious behaviour in our society who attempt to deprive the poor /destitute of their wealth, liberty and dignity.”
Very insensitive comment…. We know where you are coming from, but all you will have to wait all you turn, please take a number, to do what politicians do best and be the ones to be corrupt. All yo just can’t wait to put your hands on ‘the money’ eh. lol
Generally, younger ones should have great respect for the elderly. The elderly, the sick are vulnerable and should be taken care of with love. They gave love to their children, grandchildren, neighbors and others whom they especially know. It is asking for little that at this stage in their life, they should be treated with dignity and appreciation.
We should treat others as we expect from them. This is the Golden Rule which Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us.
Everyone should know what goes around comes around and two-fold. Even how we age depends on how well we treat others, especially the elderly and those who depend on their family or caretakers for their welfare. It is a grievous sin to ill-treat them.
Some people do not consider that Our Lord Jesus Christ knows, sees and hears all things. Nothing is hidden from him. We must keep in mind He said: “Vengeance is Mine. I will repay.” Those who are guilty of ill-treatment to the elderly will pay a dear price.
It is also a crime to ill-treat, abuse them. There are different types of abuse.
In Canada, the Law is strict about abuse of every nature. If abusers are found out and also of the elderly, they do not go unpunished. In other words, it is not taken lightly. They will be imprisoned for a few years. What other price could one pay for abusing the elderly?
Mrs. Toussaint, your words are well spoken and powerful. It is with humility that I am asking you to look into the 10pm to 6am night life and that has plagued your birth place. The irony to this, we have several centurions and one just happened to be the grand mother of our newly ordained priest. These elderly and minor children are subjected to the drugs and wee hours of throbbing and vibrating music. It is over one hundred thousand watts of constant noise every weekend until 6am in the morning. You were educated there and now Mr. Graham and Ma JB deserves better, let them live their last with dignity. Let us also give our children a chance of being educated. Our way of living has been perpetrated by a few gangsters. That is also a classic case of Elderly Abuse.
I commend all those who take care of the elderly. It can be a challenge. To the Committee, thank you for the work you do.
Sometimes we need to be more blunt to our pupolation and state that we all may get old and need care.
We need to explain the joy of caring for the elderly. We should remind ourselves that those of us who shum the elderly that we also will be left to die in misery. There are many examples.
As babies, they took care of us: sometimes our parents did not sleep at nights, they worried of our illness, they cried when they did not have food to give to us. The begged for money when they had to take us to the doctor and to buy medication. Some mothers had to do the unworthy act to get money to care for their children – they were ashame – but the child/children had to eat. They went without food, clothes, deodorant, walked without shoes, just to care for us. I am certain we can all reflect and find sacrifices our parents made for us. Ec=ven in our adult life, they…