Former Superintendent of Police and advocate for the elderly, Yvonne Alexander has raised concerns as it relates to abuse of the elderly in Dominica.
She was speaking at a special ceremony held recently at the Premium Home & Residential Care Services (PHARCS) Mount Carmel Facility at Morne Daniel, in recognition of World Elder Abuse Day.
“Please understand that our elderly are humans and they deserve the same dignity and the same respect as people of all other ages,” she stressed. “And I think a few years ago we actually heard the horrific news of elderly individuals in their 80’s being sexually abused right here in Dominica.”
According to Alexander, the fact is, aging is accompanied by declining health and strength and as such older people are high on the list of the most vulnerable in society.
“They often cannot defend themselves against any form of abuse,” she explained.
Alexander stated further that many are homebound and are neglected by friends and family.
“This form of isolation creates an environment in which abuse can take place and can continue for a long time before it is ever brought to the notice of someone,” she remarked.
She went on to say, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), although the extent of elderly treatment is unknown, its social and moral significance is obvious.
“Here in Dominica and across the world there are laws that address most of these crimes against the elderly,” she noted.
Alexander said in order for the abuse to be investigated, it first have to be reported.”
“The problem is that elder abuse often goes unrecognized and unreported and or, underreported,” she said.
The Theme for World Elder Abuse Day was “You’ve Got to Make a Promise”.
And according to Alexander, “In keeping with this year’s theme , we have all got to make a promise to be much more aware of how the issue of elder abuse can more particularly to do all we can to prevent it.”
She mentioned that there are areas where the elderly bank or receive money.
“You’ve got to promise that you will ensure that the due diligence cheques are done and that the elderly are not being deprived of their much needed financial resources,” Alexander noted.
She added, “You’ve got to promise that you will be mindful of the needs of this very vulnerable group in our midst.”
Elderlies need a day care center.
I agree that there should be no abuse of anyone including elderlies , however i have seen elderlies abusing their care givers including nurses at the hospital. They curse obscene language at them, spit on them, kick, purposely shit on themselves and splatter it everywhere. They refuse to take any direction from their care givers. So how should one deal with abuse from elderlies?
Without the elderly, we would not be here. They are the reason for our existence. Therefore, when we neglect and abuse them, we are heaping curses on us. They should be loved, respected and be cared for, especially by their loved ones. Since they have done so much for us, now we have to do for them in return. Let’s continue to visit, feed, bathe and keep conversations with them so that their memories will not fade prematurely.
Hotep (Peace)
To: Yvonne Alexander.. I was surprised to learn that such elderly abuse as you have noted occurs in Dominica ,,Shame
But they doh have “Yes we cure” nor
Elder people doh worry with the youth because they constantly voting DLP over and over for their own needs 
I have the greatest respect for this lady. She would have made an excellent chief of police and we would not be in the mess we are today if she had been appointed.
I treat the elderly with reverence. They created the path for us to prosper. Too many of them are severely abused and abandoned like derelict vehicles. As they grow older, their health deteriorates, their mobility becomes extremely limited, still too many of them have to fend for themselves. It’s incumbent on the government to put appropriate measures in place to allow these people to live their sunset lives more rewardingly. It should be the duty of family members to care for their seniors but in too many cases it is not done. I don’t like the word ‘Promise’ in the theme because promises are too easily broken. The theme should have been ‘ You Have Got to Make a Commitment ‘.