How can we honour our Senior Citizens?

Editor: A senior citizen is defined by some sources as anyone over the age of 60. Those over 65 are classified as aged. There is much that can be done to show our senior citizens that we appreciate them and treasure the wisdom and experience gained through their lifetime.

Seniors are keen about their salvation, and their spiritual needs should be met. Those who can attend church should be allowed to go and facilitated to do so with suitable transport.

While a “straight to heaven funeral” is in their plans, they want to have a little heaven down here. All the activities that they usually participate in should be part of their routines as far as possible.

Their health is most important, so good geriatric care is essential. It is important that home health workers be employed while the seniors are fully functional so that they can make the choice themselves. It should be an advantage that we have elderlies in the seat of government in the USA and in SVG. Both leaders would be seventy-nine years old this year. The bible says that we have 70 years to live, but some who are stronger may live longer. When caring for the elderly we are encouraged to be mindful to address their emotional, social and physical needs. It is important that they get adequate medical care, and they have a supportive environment that promotes their well-being and independence.

First class travel by land, sea and air, while good for our geriatric leaders, denies them the experience to empathize with the rest of the population. If they experienced the noisy, eardrum bursting and deafening music on the minivans, they would allow us to travel our beautiful country with the ambience of chirping birds and mooing cows. It cannot just be assumed that we have wax-laden ears, or that we are already deaf. If they experienced the jerking of the coast guard vessels transporting dying patients from the outlying islands, something would be done to improve comfort. If they experienced the long lines and searches at the airport, they would make the process more efficient. In any case if we are serious about drug trafficking, no one would be exempted from searches. They would also encourage senior citizen lines and priorities in businesses across the country.

If our geriatric leaders would access goods and services like the rest of us, they would put in place a requirement for all public businesses to have an accessible wash room. It is not only the rum shops that should have this requirement, but all places that serve the public. When our leaders visit the rum shops this election season, if they announce that they will visit the wash room, they would all improve, and those that that do not have any would put one in. Additionally, the wash rooms need rails and wheelchair access. The elderly would appreciate vat free adult pampers. It is their saviour in the present conditions where accessible wash rooms are so far apart. They appreciate the few business places that provide this service.

We have no doubt that the White House, Government House, the House of Representatives and the official residence of the Prime Minister are well outfitted with rails in the showers and toilets. The elderlies are prone to falls, and their safety is our responsibility. Besides personal physicians and nurses, they also need personal trainers and dietitians to ensure their fitness and health. At some point wheelchairs, walkers and walking sticks would be needed, so an adequate supply must be at hand.

Even though there may be good nursing homes available, no plans should be made for our geriatric leaders to be housed there if the need arises. They, like most elderlies, prefer to spend their golden years in their own homes. Therefore, every effort should be made to make Mara Largo and Gorse geriatric friendly.

Respect and care for our elderly means that we should not put any unnecessary stress on them. While we may allow them to work, the rigours of daily routines are not for them. They can become confused simply by not having enough water to drink, and this can cloud their decision making. While the leader of the USA is golfing, some are saying that Elon Musk is running the country. In our case many wonder who is running our country while our leader is on frequent day tours to the Grenadines? I wonder what advice nurse Ruth Ferary Mitchell would give our geriatric leaders for the challenging times we face. She retired at the earliest opportunity and will celebrate her 105th birthday on April 18th, 2025.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD