#BTEditorial – The elderly not an expendable group

Why are some people surprised that there is an absence of condemnation and general outrage at the level of abuse being meted out to the elderly in this country?

We must concede that there are far too many examples of a general lack of care, consideration and respect for those who have paved the way for generations after them to thrive and elevate themselves.

The statistics show that persons over 50 years comprise a significant segment of our population and the numbers are growing.

In fact, the current debate over the planned restructuring of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), its pensions programme and other benefits, are all embodied in the changing demographic profile of our country.

There is an imbalance in the profile of our population that would ensure the continued viability of the NIS with the current level of benefits to citizens.

This week is Senior Citizens Week, and the matter of elder abuse was spotlighted by George Griffith, the coordinator of the Elder Care Companion Programme of the National Assistance Board.

Griffith, who has worked in the health and social services sector of Barbados for decades, compared the widespread public outrage and indignation over the reported drowning of a dog, to the relatively muted reactions to consistent reports of senior citizens battling verbal and physical violence.

The money and assets they have acquired through years of hard work are often pilfered by those who are supposed to care for them, including children and other relatives.

He went on to pose this missive. “A question keeps reoccurring in my mind. What about persons who are abused day-in, day-out, in this civilised society?”

“I continue to wonder if we will ever see the day when the reaction to an incident of elder abuse will be as strident as the response to the abuse of this animal.”

Griffith drew attention to the fact that elderly women were at greater risk of various types of abuse and called for equally strident condemnation and outrage against abuse of our older citizens.

“Who should see to it that nutritious meals should be prepared and fed to the elderly when necessary or as recommended by the health authorities? Whose job is it to ensure that our seniors are protected from physical, emotional, financial, sexual, or neglect?” Griffith questioned.

Our seniors are not disappearing, they are increasing in number, and we fear that unless authorities craft a comprehensive policy that addresses the range of issues  – both economic and social – that are affecting this segment of the population, we will live to regret it.

Creating a policy for the proper care of our senior citizens is not as elusive as some may want to project. Yes, it requires hard work and direct financing, but it is not an impossibility.

Norway is generally accepted as the country offering the best care of its elderly, while Japan has the reputation for treating its seniors with respect, honouring their contribution to Japanese society.

Norway is cited for the support it provides to elderly citizens through the government-funded care system, several social opportunities, and a high-quality public health system.

The country is also highly ranked for its strong sense of community, where there is 100 per cent pension coverage, adding to the financial security of elderly citizens of Norway. It also boasts the highest income and employment rates for elderly workers.

It may be overly ambitious to seek to replicate the targets that Norway has reached but taking care of the needs of our seniors should not be seen as an unattainable goal.

The country’s approach to the welfare of older Barbadians played out during the COVID-19 pandemic. For even though older Barbadians were paying the highest price with their lives, we experienced many cases where family members refused to allow them to be vaccinated against the disease.

A simple jab could have meant the difference between life and death for many older folks. Then there is the abhorrent practice of abandoning old people in health care institutions even though they have been discharged and are perfectly well to return to their homes.

The uncaring treatment of many older Barbadians is a contradiction to the celebration of our centenarians.

Our elders ought to be revered and respected for their sacrifices and contributions, not treated as retired assets to be disposed of because their value has been spent.