Be mindful of elderly abuse

EDITOR: St Vincent and the Grenadines is an ageing society. The population is decreasing. One cause is the lower birth rate. Senior citizens need more and better caregivers. At one point my mother had five workers, yet she was not receiving the needed care. Adequate diet and nutrition, health care, keeping their dwelling safe and clean, and allowing for positive social and spiritual interactions, are all part of excellent care giving. In most cases seniors should have adequate resources to pay for their care but there may be a lack of due diligence by those who are supervisors.

Traditionally children, particularly daughters, took on the task of caring for their ageing parents. Where this was not possible, a portion of property, usually land, was reserved for the caregiver. In these modern times, nursing homes have been contracted to care for ageing parents.

However, it is well known that people prefer to remain in their own homes and remain near to family members. Workers are employed as needed according to the care that is necessary.

Good care giving requires that patients be allowed to maintain their usual lifestyle as far as possible. In many cases church attendance was very important to them. In such cases arrangements should be made for them to attend on a weekly basis and when they cannot attend in person to listen to the service by electronic means. The same is true for community and cultural activities.

Reading is another important area because it helps to keep the brain active and engaged. This is unlike what happens when a person just listens or watches the electronic media. To prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease much reading materials should be provided.

Children must be careful to provide what is needed for their parents. Many children do not attend church regularly and do not practice reading. If the parents are denied these simple activities, it constitutes elderly abuse especially when they have the means to do so. So let us allow our elderly parents to enjoy reading the weekly newspapers, and take them to their church and community activities regularly.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD