As a society that wants to become a caring one we must do more for the elderly. It begins with the understanding that people in their eighties, nineties and beyond are not satisfied merely to languish in a departure lounge to the hereafter.
At their advanced ages they still enjoy interacting with others including those much younger than themselves. Of course interacting with contemporaries may be the preference of many but even this sometimes requires considerable planning and the willingness of friends and relatives to organize such encounters.
Guyana as poor as it is can learn and copy some aspects of organized care tor the elderly as practiced in the more developed countries. To begin with there needs to be day (recreation) centres tor the elderly in all places where we have a population of aging Guyanese.
Donated land can be built on or run down buildings upgraded, modernized and made comfortable and safe for aged persons. The private sector can help in this regard as can government, municipalities, affluent Guyanese and civic society. So too can non-resident Guyanese and friends of Guyana. At these day centres the elderly can be appropriately entertained, they can play games, chat with fellow visitors and make new friends over tea, coffee or a juice and sandwiches. Some supervision would be required and can be the responsibility of paid staff assisted by youth and other volunteers.
Such a centre tor the elderly in Georgetown would be well received. In time a day centre tor the elderly may be able to own a bus and operate a pick up and drop off service for its regular visitors.
Perhaps we should get the first such centre established in Georgetown and use it as a template tor others. The back lands inside the Promenade Gardens at the northern end (along New Market Street/opposite Republic Bank) is most suitable tor such a development and can be leased to a non-profit organization tor construction of a custom- built day centre tor the elderly. We really need to do more for our elderly.
Yours faithfully,
F. Hamley Case
