Government will be revamping the 30-year-old National Assistance Board (NAB) in order to create a new institution which will legislatively become the focal point for elder affairs as Barbados heads towards an ageing population.
That disclosure was made by Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development Steven Blackett as he spoke at the NAB’s award dinner at Hilton Barbados on Saturday night.
Blackett said that the new department will become known as the Department of Elder Affairs and that coming out of the National Policy On Ageing will be legislation dealing with elder abuse and support for caregivers as an incentive to keeping their elderly relatives at home and within the community as long as possible.
On a night when tributes were paid to the workers and boards who had contributed to the growth and success of the Country Road-based institution, Blackett outlined that the genesis of the NAB had stemmed from the need to provide housing for the poor and indigent and (to) create a programme which would allow for care of the elderly within their own homes.
The minister drew heavily on the theme of “faithfulness to the mission” in expressing appreciation to: “The home care workers, whose faithfulness to this mission has persisted irrespective of the challenges encountered. I am well aware that tasks were undertaken in circumstances that put them as risk, but they have continued to be faithful.
“Those who work in the Recreation Programme who are faithful to the policy of active ageing that has been embraced by Government and executed by the Ministry of Social Care through the National Assistance Board.
“Those of you who work in the Residential Care Programme [where] caring for the elderly in a confined institution is not always easy. Failing health and differing dementias are but some of the challenges that you are called upon to deal with on a daily basis.
“Those who serve at the Clyde Gollop Shelter, which caters to homeless men [where] the profiles of these men call for patience in the delivery of service and you, too, continue to serve admirably in the circumstances.
“Our volunteers, whose contribution to the Bereavement Services Programme is immeasurable,” Blackett told the packed room of staff, along with
Permanent Secretary Sonja Welch, director Charyn Wilson, assistant director Andrew Browne, chairman Maria Boyce, deputy chairman Senator Reverend Dr David Durant and other board members.”
Blackett indicated that Barbados had an ageing population and the affairs of our elderly people must be given our fullest attention with older people expected to make up 20 per cent of the overall population by 2020.
During the night more than 1 000 years of service was rewarded as people from categories of one to four years, up to 30 years’ service received awards.
The applause and appreciation were just as great for every award.
Ten people were rewarded for being with the NAB from inception, with the Wilkinson clan of Etheril and sister Marcia, along with sister-in-law
Avril combining for 90 years of service to the mission.
The other 30-year awardees were Doris Field, Monica Franklyn, Celeste Gittens, Colleen Hunte, Ometa Marshall, Enid Maynard and Roslyn Parris. (KB)
