Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr is urging Jamaicans to be more intentionally respectful, caring, and supportive of senior citizens.
While making his remarks at the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) launch of Senior Citizens Week today, Charles Jr said there are multiple cases of older members of the population who are neglected and abused by their family members, a devastating fact concerning the value that seniors contribute to society.
“Intentional respect is an important thing. It mustn’t just happen, you must calculate it, it must be deliberate, it must be in your mind at all times, and in particular, we are calling on Jamaicans…Within your own family, I want to charge you to be more inclusive of your senior family members,” said the minister.
Senior Citizens Week is observed this year under the theme ‘Embracing wisdom, uniting generations’.
Charles Jr shared an interaction he had with a senior citizen during his youth and how the words of wisdom expressed still have a meaningful impact on his life today. He further expressed appreciation for the wisdom, encouragement, and many life lessons given by seniors that have formed the backbone of society, stating the elderly deserve the deepest respect.
“There are things we don’t do anymore because we are too smart or because it is too easy to google it. But our senior citizens have a sense of cemented feet on the ground and wisdom to pass onto us, which we can’t purchase, which we can’t search for, and which in its invaluable nature will never come again because every generation is changing,” Charles Jr. said.
He also challenged Jamaicans to listen and not just hear what the older population has to say, reiterating this claim that seniors possess a level of wisdom that can be life-changing.
As part of its efforts to ensure seniors are protected and cared for, Charles Jr said the Government has, through NCSC, provided pension and other benefits. Public assistance grants for economic and social support are also available for persons over 60 years old.
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