New President of the Dominica Council on Ageing (DCOA), Gloria Shillingford has described the elderly as “our jewels” who need to be safeguarded and given deepest respect.
She was speaking during the inauguration of the DCOA’s new executive at the Fort Young Hotel last Saturday night.
The event forms part of the association’s activities for the Month of the Elderly observed in September.
“Our population is an aging one and by the year 2030, there will be over two billion older persons in the world. It is to this end that we call upon everyone to embrace and love our elderly,” she said. “They are our gems, our jewels and need to be safeguarded and given our deepest respect and gratitude. They have paid their dues to us; they have built our country and made us who we are today.”
She said a nation is judged by the way it treats its elderly, “vulnerable and unfortunate members of society.”
“We must remain cognizant of the fact that how we treat our elders today will determine how we are treated tomorrow or in the future,” she remarked.
She went on say that older women in particular sometimes become victims of appalling abuse and violence.
Meantime; Tourism Minister Senator Robert Tonge, who represented Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit at the function, said the government continues to provide financial support and subventions to many organizations that provide care for the elderly who cannot necessarily care for themselves.
Amorganizations are the Mahaut Home for the Aged, the House of Hope in La Plaine, the Dominica Infirmary and the Grotto Home for the Homeless.
He noted that under the Ministry of Social Services headed by Catherine Daniel, “the government is truly committed to protection of our citizens.”
He said also the government continues its social programmes such as; “the Yes We Care Programme, the 70 and over care programme, free medical services for persons over the age of 60.”
“As you know we are upgrading our new national hospital, again to improve the lives and the health of our people,” he stated.
“I want to say to each and every one of you that we love you and that we care for you and we look forward to the protection of your livelihood,” he added.
Members of the New Executive are:
President- Gloria Shillingford
First Vice President- Evander Joseph
Second Vice President- Nigel Lawrence
Secretary – Nicholas George
Treasurer- Cecil Joseph
Assistant Secretary Treasurer- Lennox St Aimee
Supernumerary Members- Einsworth Irish, Ophelia Marie and Robertson Seaman
The Youth Arm of the DCOA, which consists of 22 members, was also launched at the ceremony.
The name is not Robertson Seaman is Robertine
Taken from the booklet, “Everyone’s Way Of The Cross”, the Fifth Station of the Cross. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross.
. . . Lord, make me realize that every time I wipe a dish, pick up an object off the floor, assist a child in some small task, or give another preference in traffic or the store. Each time I feed the hungry, clothe the naked, teach the ignorant (uninformed), or lend my hand in anyway – It matters not to whom – my name is Simon and the kindness I extend to them I really give to you.
The Lord replied: “. . . A simple fiat, this is all it takes; a breathing in your heart. So seek me not in far off places, I am close at hand. Your workbench, office, kitchen (other places), these are altars where you offer love.
And I am with you there. Go now! Take up your cross and with your life, complete your way.
Everyone is to be respected and especially the aged. I have known that since a child. My parents did not particularly tell me that. It was my instinct in the strict and disciplined manner they nurtured me. I dared not disrespect anyone. Otherwise I would get it.
My parents would not have tolerated it. This respect for everyone, no exception the elderly has not left me.
Whenever I see an elderly, if he or she needs help in any way, be it in the store, opening a door for them, allowing them to go ahead of me, offering a helping hand if necessary, I am ever so happy to do so.
As Gloria stated, “We must remain cognizant of the fact that how we treat our elders today will determine how we are treated tomorrow or in the future.”
Yes, fellow Dominicans, what goes around comes around. If we are fortunate to live to a ripe old age, as we do and later we will expect the younger ones to respect us and help us in any way possible. Let us be kind to them.
Age does not bring respect. Some of our elderly do deserve respect cauae they earned. Some of our elderly were worthless people who contributed absolutely nothing to the country. Some wasted thier young life away and now expect society to honor them. I say how you make your bed is so upu sleep. What example we setting to the young. We can do all kinds of crap and when we old government will take care of you. This is wrong. Thise who earned respect will get it. Those who did not, take what you get. Plain and simple. These politicians coming talk about elderly like they care. The rate the country progressing only means a bunch of old people who worked hard with nothing to show for it.
And I agree with you!
Some of them did not even take care of their children; and now that they are old, the children have no use for them all because of how they treated them when they were kids.
The Bible teaches to honor our father, and mother, but is also told parent; do not provoke your children to anger.
In most case, some of those older people provoked so much anger in their children, that now they are older, and in some cases suffering their children remembering the horror they suffered at the hands of their parents refuse to deal with them.
It is not right; however, the bed we make, we sleep in it!
You sound bitter man,you got a dissapointment??