Loneliness, isolation major problems for elderly in Dominica

Bully is proposing a day care center for the elderly
Bully is proposing a daycare centre for the elderly

Loneliness and isolation are two major problems the elderly in Dominica has to deal with Board Member of the Dominica Council On Ageing (DCOA), Colin Bully, proposing a day-care centre for the elderly to combat the problem.

“For example, we are finding that one of the major problems for older people may be loneliness, isolation,” he said. “You know in the past the older people went to church very often, that is a form of socialization, they are not doing it anymore, then they get isolated.”

He believes a place must be set up for the elderly to socialize.

“I am suggesting that we have to start looking developing day-care centres for elderly people where they can go in and socialize,” he noted.

Meantime, he is also exploring the idea of the Dominica State College (DSC) setting up a Peace Corps-like organisation to do research and data gathering on older people.

“What I would really like to see, the council (DCOA) is a voluntary group basically and as Dominicans, we have to start looking at what assistance can we get from younger persons or from other institutions,” he noted.

He asked, “Can we start thinking of developing a cadre, like a Peace Corps, this Peace Corps model of young persons who will get involved in the research, developing a database on developing the models for delivery for us?”

Bully’s remark came ahead of the 3rd Caribbean Conference on Ageing, Elder Abuse and the Rights of Older Persons which is carded for the 30th of November to December 1, 2015, under the theme: Building the Framework for a Regional Response to Elder Abuse.

The conference will be held at the Fort Young Hotel for the first time in Dominica.

Between 75-100 persons across the region are expected to attend.

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8 Comments

  1. GivingYouMyAll
    November 27, 2015

    Dominica Is Beautiful And Rich With Interesting History….GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THE OLDER FOLK THAT TELLS US THE TALES OF THE PAST.
    .. …All That Bush Does Aid With Isolation…. and of course a free bus ride to get to the day centre is a MUST. Having a Day centre is a normal thing in most countries.. DA needs Fi catch up.

  2. Faceup
    November 26, 2015

    You guys cant even aford bus outings for the elderly…Are you all that broke poor?

    • Put God First
      November 27, 2015

      While you are busy thinking of a problem, try to think of a solution and bring that up with you as well.

  3. November 26, 2015

    brilliant idea I could not agree more. just as the children are our future the older folks are our past and our history. you cannot plan for a future if you don’t know your past history. the older folks are highly knowledgeable about our history and should not only be treated with dignity and respect but they could also be used to further educate our youths on our rich history and culture.

  4. Hmmmm
    November 26, 2015

    I like the day care idea. Sometimes my dad is home all day alone, everyone is at work about their business. it would be nice if he had somewhere to go a couple days a week.

  5. November 26, 2015

    Like others i to believe this is an excellent idea, precise and to the point. Remember,young today old tomorrow. Lets do all in our powers to implementing that great idea.

  6. Angel Giraudel
    November 26, 2015

    Great idea Mr. Bully. Let’s all go for executing this idea in fruition.

  7. ukip
    November 26, 2015

    Brilliant idea, was discussing the same with a few pax this week.

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