Dear Editor,
The theme of the ‘fate of the elderly’ is infinite and inconclusive but needs to be discussed because of its great importance. It is difficult to accurately define ‘elderly‘ owing to the various beliefs, concepts or perceptions held by people. Some argue that age is just a number; others believe old age is god’s blessings; yet others feel it is a curse – for only the good die young.
The aged are treated differently depending on the norms of their society. In affluent societies the rate of longevity tends to be higher than in poor ones. Retirement benefits are said to be good in most of the developed world. Hence many persons from the developing countries migrate to industrialized nations to enjoy some of these privileges, mainly health care.
In Guyana, there are different categories of senior citizen ranging from sixty years up and based on general social circumstances. Many aged persons suffer from a list of ailments: diabetes, hypertension, blindness, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson and arthritis. Some are cared for by relatives who are well off; others are abjectly poor and abandoned. Luckily our country is richly endowed with resources and our elderly comprise a tiny fraction of the population. We ought to give, locally, some of the benefits other countries provide for their citizens and ours in the diaspora. Many elderly people depend on remittances from relatives abroad.
In 1982, the late Newton Profitt of the Adult Education Association sponsored a seminar on the ‘Care of the Elderly.‘ This was run by a foreign specialist on geriatrics and local medical experts. Government and NGOs should formulate a national plan for the aged population, especially the most vulnerable. Our private sector and corporate entities may collaborate.
One prosperous businessman declared he feared becoming old, so he preferred to die young. In every society people should be confident that if they grow old, they would enjoy the basics at an affordable cost: right diet, clothing, housing, medical care and transportation, among other benefits. This can be achieved with the payment of living wages, salaries and pensions.
Yours faithfully,
Malcolm Maynard
