Minister with responsibility for the security of seniors, Dr. Adis King, is calling on the public to stamp out what she says is the unnecessary and ugly element of elder abuse in society.
She was speaking on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) observed on Monday.
Some of the common forms of abuse of older people in society are neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and emotional abuse among others.
“Let us steadfastly pull our resources and in whatever way possible help stamp out this unnecessary and ugly element in our society, elder abuse,” Dr. King said.
According to the minister, the government continues to champion measures that mitigate against the environment which may be conducive to elder abuse.
“We do so through our numerous social programmes, the ‘Yes We Care’, the improved housing programme, free medical privileges to our senior citizens, monthly allowances to our seniors, among others,” she stated. “All aimed at creating a level of independence among our older persons.”
She said these measures can, and must, be complemented by respective elements of society.
“In this vein, I call on all of you to join me while I compliment those who have already involved themselves in this movement, to stand up for our older persons,” Dr. King stated. “As a people, we can and have to do better.”
Dr. King also encouraged people to educate themselves as to what constitutes elder abuse.
“Let us not fool ourselves and think that elder abuse affects only certain sectors of society,” she remarked. “Persons in the lower status of life are prime victims, but because of the diverse nature of elder abuse and the various ways these can be manipulated, all elders are at risk.”
Dr. King said that persons must remain vigilant and not falter in reporting any suspicious activities.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed every year on 15 June as designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
WEAAD was launched by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization (WHO) at the UN. The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
What has UWP ever done for the elderly?Every single person above the age of 70 is getting $300 monthly.There is also the YES WE CARE,and,medicals are FREE.LYING UWP LOSERS.You UWP followers will always stay in the YARD.King is there to stay,MONHELL is finished.
Only certain elderly getting attention. ITs all a big show for these people. What for them to really focus on they not doing. You want to do something for the elderly? tell melissa start renovating roseau sidewalks. 6 months after election and i yet to see any improvement in roseau. It does hurt me to watch those people try to talk on those sidewalks we have in roseau just to pay their little bills and buy their little food.
….so how is the government currently dealing with all those who are abusing elders, what are the signs of such abuse, how would i know if an elderly person is being abused?
I don’t know if I should refer to you as Dr, Hon or Ms but madam, this one thing I need to know from you: how much is your salary? Is it $5k, $7k $8k or more? What about donate at least 25% of your salary to help take care and protect the elderly? I am now 68 and never have I seen a government in Dominica abuse the elderly like your government. Your government only knows how to use the elderly for political gain. So woman stop talking and start to demonstrate love by action.
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth 1 John3:18
These evil and wicked people don’t even have a conscience since what they had is sold to Skerrit and the devil. They are workers of Iniquity and it’s just a matter of time before we hear their downfall because evil cannot last forever.
“Let us steadfastly pull our resources and in whatever way possible help stamp out this unnecessary and ugly element in our society, elder abuse, ”
All sweet sounding rhetorical hogwash; designed for a photo-op!
Indeed; “Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult; which is someone age 60 and older.
Abuse occurs at the hands some caregiver or “relatives” closely associated to the elderly; so this crap about “pull our resource is garbage talk; the word is not “pull.”
In a sentence it should read “pool” meaning: to combine more than one person’s supply of something!
Pull is an act of taking hold of something and exerting force to draw it toward a direction, or moving it in different direction.
Now these are the people in power in Dominica; say they in government, when they are unable to express themselves in the English language.
Before Roosevelt no elderly abuse existed in Dominica, we…
Woman start with yourself. Your party is the biggest abuser of the elderly. Wicked souls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You hate mongers are just waiting for the slightest opportunity to spew your venoms in spite of the uncertainty. Just a bunch of pathetic idealess people. Use your time to show love.