Month: June 2017

The monsters who prey on poor, helpless old ladies

Five years ago a study by the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre found that, in Jamaica, the elderly constituted 11.3 per cent of the population… and that number was projected to rise to 25 per cent by 2050.

This therefore is an extremely important segment of the Jamaican population; deserving of the greatest possible attention from the Government and people, not only for the fact that they nurtured the current generations of Jamaicans. The true quality of life in our country can be measured by how we treat our senior citizens.

From this standpoint, we encourage all Jamaicans to take seriously the words of Police Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, the head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), who expressed deep concern about increasing attacks on Jamaica’s elderly, the majority of whom are women.

As reported in our Wednesday edition, Supt Lindsay brought a solemn message to the Monday’s Annual General Meeting of Jean Lowrie-Chin’s Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) about the litany of problems faced by senior citizens.

According to Ms Lindsay, these problems include:

• People posing as representatives of utility companies to get to senior citizens

• Identity theft is a growing problem for seniors

• Lonely seniors are robbed of social interaction because of fear of venturing outside

• Many are being abused by caregivers

In addition to the observations made by the officer, anecdotal evidence suggests that there is general impatience and apathy towards the aged, with many people regarding them as a burden or an obstacle in their way, because they might be slowing down physically and mentally.

The creatures who prey on poor, helpless old people are monsters who must feel the full weight of the law. Jamaicans must not keep silent when they witness the ill-treatment of seniors. Enlightened self-interest alone should help us to grasp the fact that if we live long enough we will be seniors one day.

The number of seniors in Jamaica — which as the survey says is increasing — is significant enough for vote-seeking politicians to be interested. We wholeheartedly endorse Mrs Lowrie-Chin’s call for legislation similar to the Child Care and Protection Act to ensure the well-being of Jamaica’s elderly.

In the meantime, we suggest to the elderly that they heed the advice given by Supt Lindsay to protect themselves as much as they can against the criminal minded by:

• Not giving out banking or credit card information on the phone

• Checking ID cards of people claiming to be representatives of utility companies – “In this case, to be rude is to be shrewd!”

• Checking bank statements carefully and immediately reporting any strange activity or suspicion of fraud

• Keeping a close check on incapacitated elderly against abusive caregivers

• In the event of motor vehicle accidents, meeting the other motorist at the police station

• Going out with friends and family, instead of venturing out alone

• Carrying only cash, credit cards and IDs that will be needed

• In the case of a hold-up, throwing wallet or handbag a distance away and running in the opposite direction, but never to resist giving up valuables.

• Using sturdy metal or solid wood doors with deadbolt locks; motion detectors or floodlights; trimming shrubbery around doors and windows and giving an extra key to a trusted neighbour.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/the-monsters-who-prey-on-poor-helpless-old-ladies_100552

There should be more gratitude to Food For the Poor

Dear Editor,

Jamaica AIDS Support for Life wishes to go on record to publicly lend its support to the Food For Poor, as well as challenge recent claims made by Members of Parliament Mikael Phillips and Leslie Campbell.

Over the years, the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life has often partnered with Food For the Poor for access to housing solutions for clients most vulnerable. To date there have been no complaints regarding the quality of the houses provided.

Since its inception in 1991, the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life has been supporting those most vulnerable to HIV and AIDS through prevention, public education, and access to medication and other support services.

The cyclical nature and inverse relationship between HIV prevalence and socio-economic status has been observed to affect those at the lower socio-economic strata when one examines levels of education, poverty, annual household income, employment, and homeless status. It is on that basis that Food For the Poor must be congratulated for its work and support to the poorest Jamaicans over the years.

Since being founded, in 1982, Food For the Poor has constructed over 42,000 housing units for beneficiaries in need of housing solutions, among whom are people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. The organisation has also distributed containers of aid to the poor and supported hospitals, hospice care, and other HIV/AIDS facilities throughout the Caribbean region by providing food, medicine, medical equipment, personal care items, furniture, and medical supplies.

The Jamaica AIDS Support welcomes the prime minister’s support for Food For the Poor and urges Members of Parliament to be cautious in their criticisms and demonstrate greater levels of gratitude. We also make a call for the Government of Jamaica to implement increased and improved social protection and housing solutions for Jamaica’s most vulnerable.

Jamaica AIDS Support for Life

http://www.jasforlife.org

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/there-should-be-more-gratitude-to-food-for-the-poor_100530?profile=1234

Politicians can’t manage FFP, so they say grapes sour

Dear Editor,

As one who has ties to the Portland Cottage, Clarendon, community I take umbrage to the criticism that some politicians have levelled at Food For the Poor.

The management of Food For the Poor has done, and continues to do a wonderful job providing housing and other assistance to Portland Cottage, Clarendon, and other communities across Jamaica.

These politicians are fuming because the cannot dictate to the Food For the Poor. The Management of Food For the Poor resists political interference. Some politicians want to steer housing to party supporters.

I say to these fuming politicians, provide the evidence of termite problems in the Food For the Poor houses.

The management of Food For the Poor should go public with the names of these politicians who are making demands of it for their party supporters — but I know they would not.

Continue to resist political interference, Food For the Poor, as you go about providing assistance to the most needy Jamaicans, regardless party affiliation.

Authnel Reid

reidaut@Icloud.com

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/politicians-can-8217-t-manage-ffp-so-they-say-grapes-sour_100556?profile=1234