Tiling Glory

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 10 after years of hard work. This is the unfortunate result of our acceptance of bad employment practices, which then deny them a decent reward for their sacrifices. If we are to progress as a country, we must change these rules to protect our workers and their rights for which many have fought. The theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Advancing the Health and Well-being of Older Persons Amid COVID-19’, is most timely and echoes just how in- debted we are as a country to our senior citizens. Without a doubt, they have paved the way for de- velopment in every sector; laying a solid foundation for socio-economic expansion and an explosion in Jamaica’s cultural identity and dominance on the world stage. As we grapple with the challenges presented by the ongoing global pandemic, I am heartened to see that this week of celebrations has been redefined in the new normal. Let us all endeavour to make even more of an effort to ensure that our Jamaican elders are safe and cared for at this time. On behalf of the Parliamentary Opposition, I sa- lute our seniors and invite my fellow Jamaicans to join in recognising their invaluable contribution to nation-building. I wish for you an enjoyable week of activities. God bless you all. DR PETER PHILLIPS, MP Leader of the Opposition GRATITUDE CONTINUED FROM III IV SENIOR CITIZE S’ W EK T HETIME has come again for the annual celebration of Senior Citizens’Week. Let me use this medium to bring greetings on behalf of the Board of Management of the National Council for Senior Citizens to all our seniors throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica. THE YEAR 2020 marks 44 years since the establishment of the National Council.While this remains a historic event in the annals of Jamaica, we celebrate this year under the cloud of a global pandemic, the effects of which are unpredictable. Despite the presence of COVID- 19, our seniors continue to be active members of their communities. I commend them for this, their re- silience to remain relevant and their committed support to our development. The board wishes to commend them for this effort and encourage them to remain safe as they continue to share and care. Our seniors remain most vulnera- ble to COVID-19, particularly in light of the fact that most of themdo not have the physical capacity to tackle the challenges they may face as a result of the virus. Our seniors face significant risk of developing severe illness should they contract the dis- ease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions. The council is indeed aware of this and is committed to ensuring that seniors are given the highest level of protection. It iswith this inmindwhy we have carefully crafted our theme, ‘Advancing theHealthandWell-being of Older Persons AmidCOVID-19’. It is an all-embracing theme in recogni- tion that older persons, our seniors, indeed expect and deserve the at- tention and care necessary for them to cope during this time. The National Council for Senior Citizens will not allow COVID-19 to eradicate its gains over the years, neither will it be daunted by the challenges, Instead, it continues to provide the services tantamount to ensuring that this age cohort will remain confident and safe as we move into the future. With this said, we have continued our programmes virtually, where necessary. It is our most fervent wish that dur- ing this financial year, the Revised National Policy for Senior Citizens will be approved by Parliament. This will give the council the leeway it so badly needs to put in place the measures guaranteeing the support to our seniors in a structuredmanner. Presently, a spirit of community is indeed the approach necessary for us to persist with our mission of the advancement of health and welfare of older persons. Our parish offices have been mobilised specifically to continue to offer services within the established protocols in order for our seniors to be able to meet their basic needs. The home and commu- nity now becomes pivotal in how we treat those who depend on us for care, protection and support. It is important at this time that we be our brother’s keeper. Their psychosocial needs are also of vital importance for their well-being andhealthy survival. Consequently, they need to feel safe, and so it is incumbent onus toensure that they arenot abused.Where there are instances of abuse, we ask that they be reported to the police or to any of our parishoffices.Wemust not only help them to cope but also to thrive and to remainhealthy and safe. September 27, 2020marks a special day, as we celebrate Grandparents’ Day. This is followed by International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2020. I beseech you to honour our seniors now and in the future. In the meantime, I implore us all to be safe and toobserve theprotocols, and that we remainunited in the fight against this pandemic. Social distancing and thewearing ofmasks not only repre- sent the new norm but are also the most important protocols necessary to reduce the spread of the virus and ultimately overcome this global health challenge. DOROTHY FINLAYSON Chairman, National Council for Senior Citizens Our seniors continue to be active members of their communities