Tag: elderly

columns2021

Hear the cry of the elderly

Post author By Web administrator
Post date January 10, 2021
Sticky post

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI

“We are asking people, stop seeing bad things happen and remaining quiet” —ASP Claire Guy-Alleyne, Head of the Gender-Based Violence Unit, T&T Police Service

Some of the most harrowing scenes I saw on TV at the close of 2020 were the conditions in a Tunapuna home in which a 92-year-old woman lived. As the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian reported: “The house…resembled a dump, with huge piles of garbage dominating the entire property, including the bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom areas.”
Thanks to Latoya Greaves, the elderly woman was finally treated at a hospital for open wounds on her legs and taken to a safe house.

Tags abuse, elder abuse, elderly

columns2017

Tapping the talents, wisdom of the elderly

Post author By Web administrator
Post date October 1, 2017

Pope Francis greets an elderly nun during his general audience in Paul VI hall in February at the Vatican. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano, handout). — Pope Francis greets an elderly nun during his general audience in Paul VI hall in February at the Vatican. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano, handout).

Today, Sunday, is the International Day of Older Persons. The theme this year is: Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society. It is about “enabling and expanding the contributions of older people in their families, communities and societies at large. It focuses on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences” (UN).

A report by the World Health Organisation in 2015 stated that “With advances in medicine helping more people to live longer lives, the number of people over the age of 60 is expected to double by 2050 and will require radical societal change – rising from 900 million in 2015 to 2 billion by 2050…governments must ensure policies that enable older people to continue participating in society and that avoid reinforcing the inequities that often underpin poor health in older age.

Tags elderly

columns2015

Tackling elder abuse

Post author By Web administrator
Post date June 12, 2015

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

Tomorrow the world will observe elder abuse awareness day. One of the foundational social justice principles in our Church is the need for us to recognise and promote the dignity of each human person at all stages and in all circumstances – from conception to natural death.

Archbishop Harris has rightly raised a red flag warning us/our nation about the danger of going down the path of destruction. Let us use our free will wisely and strengthen our own spirituality. Let us also pass on Christian values within our families and in our communities so that we will pull back from the brink of destruction. Elder abuse is part of the destructive ‘mix’ in TT/the world.

Tags abuse, elderly

columns2014

A child is not an accessory

Post author By Web administrator
Post date June 16, 2014

Today is both Father’s Day and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. One of the greatest gifts that God gave to humankind is FATHERS.

I shall miss the Father’s Day party for my father who will be 89 years old in July. He is currently in London with all my siblings, his ten grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. I thank my father for the tremendous impact he continues to have on my well-being and development. It’s my birthday tomorrow – say a prayer for me.

Tags elderly, fathers

columns2014

Treasure the elderly…not all as fortunate as Aunty Mary

Post author By Web administrator
Post date February 1, 2014

Aunty Mary at her 100th birthday celebration. Photo Matthias Marquez

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI

On Saturday, January 25, I attended the 100th birthday celebrations of Mrs Mary Alice Pemberton of Lange Park, Chaguanas. This grand old lady left those gathered in awe at her amazing memory.
She addressed us for more than 30 minutes, recalling important milestones in her life’s journey, without reference to a written speech.

Tags elderly