Tiling Glory

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 8 II SENIOR CITIZE S’ W EK I T IS bothmy pleasure andmy priv- ilege to congratulate the National Council for Senior Citizens and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security as the nation celebrates Senior Citizens’Week 2020. Your theme for the week, ‘Advancing the Health and Well- being of Older Persons Amid COVID-19’, aptly speaks to the cur- rent situation that Jamaica and the wider world face today as we con- tinue to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. All across the world, older people have had to reorganise their lives in an effort to avert the possible negative im- pact of the virus on their lifestyles. Older people risk being affected not just physically, but also men- tally, emotionally and financially. It is imperative that they continue to be supported by an organisa- tion such as the National Council for Senior Citizens, in addition to the support of family and friends while observing the requirements of physical distance. It is important that organisations such as yourself continue to reaffirm and advocate for the occupational, educational and cultural enrich- ment of the elderly within our so- ciety amid the challenges posed by the current pandemic. We must take care to ensure that irrespective of socio-economic strata, the aged within our society are treated with dignity, respect and are cared for. I encourage Jamaicans of all ages to use the events of this year’s Senior Citizens’Week as opportunities for recognising the blessings we enjoy as a people, to be able to lean upon the wisdom and experiences of our senior community. We do well to re- member that“For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned, it is the season of the harvest.” My congratulations to theNational Council for Senior Citizens and its partners for thepolicies, programmes and initiatives aimedat“[meeting] the challenges of agrowing, healthier and more active senior citizens population …”. Through your targeted engage- ment, I am confident in our ability to advance the health and well-being of our fastest-growingdemographic. I wish for you bountiful success and a week of renewed joy in your purpose. God bless. PATRICK ALLEN, ON, GCMG, CD, KST Governor General I wish for you bountiful success and a week of renewed joy in your purpose T HE WEALTH of knowledge and experience provided by our seniors in the society is immeasurable. Senior citizens contribute signifi- cantly to our nation’s development as the cornerstones of families, civic and corporate entities, voluntary organisations and other aspects of societal life. As Jamaica observes Senior Citizens’ Week, the Government of Jamaica acknowledges and applauds the tremendous contri- butions of senior citizens in the development of our families, com- munities and our nation. Indeed, The Government also recognises that persons, as they age, should enjoy a life of fulfilment, good health, security and active partici- pation in economic, social, cultural and political life. The Government is determined to enhance the qual- ity of life for all persons, including senior citizens. In that regard, the Government is committed to en- suring the success of Jamaica’s development agenda and forging partnerships to support an inclusive and pluralistic approach to address- ing national issues. During this Senior Citizens’ Week, let us celebrate the legacy and contributions of our seniors. Even though we are facing unprec- edented times, the Government is committed to keeping our seniors safe. I implore our seniors to fol- low the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. The current pandemic poses the greatest threat to our seniors. It is therefore critical that they stay at home if over the age of 75. The Government is committed to supporting the various programmes and activities available for senior citi- zens, and to creating an enabling and supportive environment for healthy, active and productive ageing. I congratulate the National Council for Senior Citizens for the service it continues to provide to senior citizens. Best wishes for a successful Senior Citizens’Week as we look ahead to rebuild and recover stronger in the future. ANDREW HOLNESS, ON, MP Prime Minister Senior citizens contribute significantly to our nation’s development AS our nation advances through this unprecedented time, we all find ourselves in uncharted terri- tory as our daily lives adjust to the evolving response to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Much focus has been placed on senior citizens, who health officials advised are most vulnerable. Today, we pause to highlight a special time of year ‘Advancing the Health and Well-being of Older Persons amid COVID-19’ PLEASE SEE ADVANCING , III