Photos and interviews by Tiffny Rhodius
This is the month of the elderly and the Ministry of Labour hosted a Health Day last Thursday and provided medical services to senior citizens from various homes for the elderly and others and SN asked the senior citizens about their lives now and the problems that they may be encountering.
Arjoon Shivnandan, Night Shelter
I am 70 years old and I do not have anywhere to go. Today for the first time they picked us up and took us here. I don’t have any sickness or anything but I am here to do a check up. I don’t do anything but everything is good so far.
Mohan Boodhoo, Night Shelter 
I am a plumber and I am 56 years old. I was in the Ptolemy Reid Rehab Centre because I have a bad foot and they helped me to walk and I thank God every day because although I have a foot problem I can still walk. Life is not good but by the grace of God I am managing. In my time it was hard work and I am grateful for life and I learnt that if you got a party and invite ten persons expect five more but be in distress and no one will be there.
Ghansham Singh, self-employed
I am 75 years old. Life is not like it was before. Now that I have sugar I don’t feel too well. I am willing to work but I can’t work like I used to. At present I am still farming and I am still working hard and I think that there should be more exercises like this to bring elderly people out of their houses and I think that the pension for the elderly should be raised. We old people have worked hard to develop this country and some of us are living to see things destroyed. There is a lot of progress and development but yet things are being done that are not right. It is frustrating to watch the way things are going.
Joseph Mohamed, retired private employee
Life is quiet now and I am taking things easy. There is no difference; you have got to keep on going. I am 80 years and I worked at Guyana Stores since it was Bookers. Although things could have been better you have got to take into consideration the world financial situation but other than that and the eye problem I had; I came here to do a blood and sugar test because I read of the programme in the newspaper. I think it’s a good idea to honour the elderly because it shows that they are not old and forgotten but still remembered.
Allison Forde, Palms resident
I grew up in the Palms from a baby and I did everything for myself. Life is alright. I enjoy life. We should not be fighting with each other but we should live with each other in love. I have no problems. I enjoy things, I eat well and I am a healthy girl. I also enjoy walking and going out every day to meet people. I like meeting people.
Remius George, Palms resident
The place where I stay is not a good place I get teasing from the others but it doesn’t bother me much. I got family outside and when everything is settled I’ll be out of here. I am 75 years old and you know you have got to make the best of what you have. I think though that in our time it was better but the government is doing a good job. My point of view though is that they can’t stop Jagdeo from winning if he decides to take on a third term.
Randolph Reece, Archer’s Home
Life has its setback. When you reach a certain age you can’t talk back like when you were 16. I am 91 years old and take life as it comes. You can’t lament like when you were younger and you have to admit that you had your time and that time has passed and this is another time. But if you are true to yourself you’ll be contented and you will become happy in your mind. I have no time for regrets. When you reach my age you have to be thankful that you can rise and see another day. We have to realise that God put us on this earth for one purpose: to live. By caring yourself you can live long and still have this up here (points to his head). Everybody has a problem it doesn’t matter how well you are. I can’t move around as I used to but I can stand but not for too long. I like to eat nice things and I used to go dancing but now I have to ask for the strength to resist moping around all day. But God has been good to me and gives me the control to resist moping. I am contented and give thanks for living to see another day.
Charles Jupitor Benn, Archer’s Home
Life is very good because I get to go out and I enjoy a good party. I am 68 years old and I have been here for six years now, seven the first of December. I came here because all my relatives are outside but I find it very good for the six years I am here. I have pressure and sugar but beside that I keep moving around. Next Sunday I will be 69 years old and I am hoping for a birthday party as good as the one I had last year. I worked hard as a farmer but now I can’t fatigue myself much. I enjoy travelling around the country and going to church. I attend the St Sidwell’s church and I am a part of the Brotherhood and I get a chance to go all over the place and I find it very good. I got a little foot problem but that does not stop me and I find it very good here.
Hardai Mohanlall, Archer’s Home
Life is a journey. If it is hard you have to make it soft, if it soft and you make it hard then you gone. I liked to work. I grew up on Plantation Diamond and it was hard, then I got married and went to live at Mahaica Creek. I like to work. I worked hard to mind my children. I had ten children, six girls and four boys. Three boys and four girls are remaining but my eldest was very nice. She is gone now. My grandson comes to visit now. But I have to make myself happy. Anything bad you have to make it happy. Any problem you have you have to trust God to make it good. I felt happy when I used to move around but now I got a bed sore and it pains when they have to look at it but the maid here proper nice to me. I enjoy it here.
Doreen Gibbs, Archer’s Home
Life isn’t treating me too bad. I have arthritis that pains when the weather is bad and I don’t see too well in one of my eyes too. I spent some time in the hospital for it but nothing much worries me but the pain. I like it here it is nice. When my husband was alive before I got sick we used to travel around. He was an electrician. I was a nana. I like children and have three girls. But I do not like children that are around now. They are rude and get too much boyfriend. Children today wild and they are hot and you have women taking care of the man. Things have changed. I don’t move around much now but when I did I liked going to the theatre. Now I just read and listen to my radio.