The White Paper on Aging is now in its last stage of preparation, says Minister of Social Care Steve Blackett.
And it is expected to be laid in Parliament “in a matter of months”.
Blackett made the announcement yesterday while delivering the feature address at the fourth Butterfield 50+ Seniors Expo at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. He said he hoped the paper’s laying in Parliament would be followed by rich discussion by stakeholders.
“The Government has a direct responsibility not only to look after the most needy and vulnerable among the elderly, but also to facilitate in other ways those among the elderly who are better off. So we are indeed examining a wide panoply of areas for possible action,” the minister said.
Blackett said it had become clear that while Government must facilitate the necessary operating framework to facilitate the elderly, there was a key and vital role that the private sector, individual, family and communities, should play.
“I can share with you some of the areas that are attracting our attention, such as issues related to employment and retirement; financial and economic security; health (including mental health, and chronic non-communicable diseases and HIV/AIDS); the physical and social environments, including housing, transportation and intergenerational relations; Alzheimer’s disease palliative care; legislation and research, inter alia.
“We are also examining issues related to caregivers and community services, and considering recommending various incentives for public-private sector initiatives,” said the minister as he listed the areas requiring action, which were being reviewed by his ministry, along with the National Committee on Aging.
Yesterday’s expo included booths featuring craft, fruits and vegetables, clothing and furniture, and other business ventures.
There were also free health checks, and free financial and legal advice, along with light-hearted activities like karaoke and line dancing.
