Governor General calls for more emphasis on matters pertaining to elderly
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Contact: Claudia Monlouis
Friday, October 1, 2010 – Governor General Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, has lauded the National Council of and for Older Persons’ for its “Adult Day Centre initiative” in La Clery and Mongouge, Choiseul.
In a message on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons, observed on the 1st of October annually, the Governor General noted the services provided by the two centres, which include a variety of health, social and support services in a protective setting during daytime hours. Such services she added, assist the older persons to live a more fulfilling life in the company of peers and trained caregivers.
“The centres’ objective to work to develop strategies to meet the basic needs of older persons in these two communities, in improving income level, health care, nutrition and socio-recreational opportunities can be considered one of our major local successes in achieving the most fundamental Millennium Development Goal. It is an initiative that needs to be expanded and implemented in many more of our communities island-wide.” “The results of this year’s census have not been published but figures for the 2001 census indicated that approximately 40% of the 60-plus age group was below the poverty line, with 21% of them being far below that poverty line. A significant proportion of our elderly is therefore unable to provide for their day-to-day needs.
Dame Pearlette also highlighted some of the progress made by the Club 60 Movement, the Pensioners’ Association, the Mothers’ and Fathers’ Groups, religious and service organizations in the drive to enhance the quality of life of the island’s older citizens, thus supporting and promoting a society for all ages.
Meantime the Governor General says the young and able-bodied in particular need to prepare for the future, adding that income security has to be a main concern, and also programmes aimed at ensuring or enabling all workers to acquire basic social protection should be strengthened now.
“There is need for persons who are self-employed or working in the informal sector to give serious attention to these issues. Public, private and supplementary pension schemes should be encouraged and actively pursued. In light of recent experiences however, there is need to strengthen the regulatory frameworks to ensure the integrity, sustainability, solvency and transparency of pension and insurance schemes. We do need to act now.”
This year’s International Day of Older Persons was observed under the theme, “ “Older Persons and the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals”.
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