Home help for elderly providers graduate

Thirty-four (34) participants in a 12-week caregivers programme have become the third batch of trainees to graduate from the Home Help For the Elderly Programme.
The caregivers who received certificates from Eloise Gonsalves, wife of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves at a ceremony last week, now bring the total number of home-help providers in SVG to 77.{{more}}
Speaking at the graduating ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development Rolin Stapleton, said that the programme is expected to benefit over 400 persons through the Ministry of Social Development, “Killing two birds with one stone,” by creating employment and taking care of elderly Vincentians through this programme.
Stapleton told the graduates that they are expected to live by their pledge and care for the elderly by showing patience and kindness.
He further noted that the government would not condone any hatred, disrespect and abuse of the elderly and urged the graduates to make the country, government, taxpayers and themselves proud.
The programme coordinator Sister Anne Anderson, who gave a report on the training, said that the curriculum that was developed for the first group of participants was used with only a few modifications.
She explained that the curriculum was designed to prepare the trainees to enhance their personal development by establishing guidelines such as a dress code, good conduct in and out of the workplace, encouraging good work ethics, role changes, goal setting and establishing and maintaining standards.
Sister Anderson said that emphasis was placed on the social aspects of data collection because there is need to collect accurate data in order to develop meaningful care plans and not just the mere identification of a personal hygiene routine.