Stronger family support can thwart elder abuse, says social worker

In the wake of recent attacks and robberies targeting senior citizens, a National Assistance Board (NAB) officer is urging families to take a more active role in protecting and caring for their elderly relatives.

Speaking at the NAB’s annual picnic at Silver Sands, Christ Church, social worker Betty Bowen said that many older Barbadians face neglect, not always out of malice, but often due to a lack of knowledge or capacity.

“Sometimes persons may not know how to take care of the person as they age,” Bowen said, citing conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s that complicate caregiving. “It doesn’t mean that it’s deliberate. It may be that they don’t know any better.”

Bowen said that increased familial involvement could help prevent exploitation.

“If the family is embracing its elderly persons more, the stranger does not get that opportunity to exploit them,” she said. “If we start there within the homes, then we may be able to tap out some of those issues.”

She encouraged families struggling with elder care to seek guidance, noting that the NAB regularly dispatches social workers to assist and connect households with relevant agencies.

The annual picnic, which drew around 200 participants from NAB’s home care and residential programmes, offered a rare moment of joy and connection for many seniors.

Bowen acknowledged the event’s broad support from corporate sponsors, churches and government departments, including the Defence Force, and police and fire services. But she stressed the emotional impact as a vital opportunity for older citizens to socialise and feel included. “Believe you me, they look forward to it yearly,” she said.

(SZB)