THE LOCAL CHURCH has been called upon to be actively involved in the prevention of elder abuse in society.
This call came yesterday from Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development Steve Blackett as he delivered remarks during a church service at the Selah Methodist Church, Crab Hill, St Lucy, to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Blackett said that the church was a critical component of the community and therefore a valuable partner with the National Assistance Board in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and the Planning Committee for Activities for Older Persons in being cognizant that communities must become actively involved in the prevention of elder abuse.
“The church’s principles of caring, serving and being our brother’s keeper provide us with a mandate that supports and sustains any effort to ensure that the aforementioned rights of older persons are respected and that they are treated with dignity and worth,” he said.