Economic struggles tough on community’s elderly

| 29/09/2010

(CNS): Government officials are drawing attention to the plight of the older members of the community as the tough economic times can be even tougher on senior as they may not be physically, emotionally or financially independent. During Older Persons Month this October the focus will be on economically challenging times and helping old folks cope. Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Director Deanna Look Loy explained that the theme was selected to draw attention to the importance of older persons’ care, particularly during the current economic difficulties.

 
“Older persons face similar challenges to the rest of society. However, their situation is exacerbated because some cannot care for themselves either financially or physically and must rely on others to look after their affairs,” she said. “We hope to guide seniors in better-managing their resources, but also to reinforce the message that the community can make a positive difference in the lives of older citizens.”
 
Community affairs minister Mike Adam said that the community must redouble efforts to care for, protect and empower seniors especially in the face of the global economic situation. 
“We must help to guide them; assist in providing their material needs where possible; keep them engaged as active members of the family and community, and last but not least, learn from their wisdom,” the Minister said.
 
Detailing the month’s activities in a release from government information services, Older Persons Month Committee Chairperson Zemrie Thompson said that the extended celebration is intended to show appreciation to seniors. It will launch with the much-anticipated Governor’s Tea Party at Government House on Friday, 1 October.
 
A seniors’ weekend retreat is scheduled for 7 to 10 October at the Ramada Grand Caymanian Resort, and a Wellness Fair at the Seafarers Association is slated for Wednesday, 20 October from 10:00a.m to 1:00p.m.. The ultimate event – a Seniors’ Bash, again at the Red Bay Seafarers Association, will take place on Friday, 29 October between 7:00 and 10:00p.m.
 
Each district will also be staging community luncheons throughout the month. First up will be West Bay’s, on Thursday, 7 October at the Ramada Grand Caymanian Resort. It is a by invitation only event.
 
The North Side luncheon will take place at the district’s civic centre, 10:00am to 1:00pm on Tuesday, 12 October, while in Bodden Town, Coewood Beach has also been selected to host the 4:00- 7:00pm, Saturday,23 October dinner.
 
The venue for the Monday, 18 October George Town lunch is the Walker’s Road Family Life Centre, between 10:00am and 1:00pm. East End’s celebratory meal will also take place at the civic centre, on Tuesday, 19 October between 10:00am and 1:00pm. On Cayman Brac, a senior’s social celebration and the Launch of the Cayman Brac Seniors Social Club will be hosted on Thursday, 23 October at 7:00pm in the Aston Rutty Centre
 
 
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  1. Sim...G says:

    I have a relative who is unemployed and age discriminated. He has no one in his family to look after him financially, and he goes around begging money from his family who themselves don’t have the money to take care of him. He has practically nothing. I feel he could benefit from this

  2. Anonymous says:

    "Economic Struggles"? What economic struggles? Apparently the Premier is in the Far East with his "team", the Deputy Premier is in Kenya with her "team" and the Minister for Education is in Russia (excuse me?-yes Russia) with his "team". There’s plenty of money around, it would seem. Quite what Cayman gets out of all this is anybody’s guess but that’s another story.

  3. Anonymous says:

    It says much of our society that we have 100 posts of insults about the rain, 20 posts about Selita and none about this very important topic. I think its safe to say that, on the whole, we are no longer a Christian nation. I have no doubt we have lost our way. And to think, we want to actually charge people to become a part this society. Mr. Adam, please keep up the good work.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Just imagine how much more we could help our seniors if the deputy premeir wasn’t out taking safari’s at our elderly’s expense.

    Would be nice to see that help my grandmother who can’t afford to buy food again and I have to help out with my reduced salary.

    What a dictatorship!

    • Anonymous says:

      Anyone with a half a brain can see through your rant. If you really cared about our elders you wouldn’t be politicizing it. Especially when a UDP member, perhaps at the instructions of your so called dictator, is helping out.