SXMElections.com

CAY HILL--Promoting the independent and assisted living of the elderly was one of three proposals made to enhance the situation of the ageing population in St. Maarten during the Symposium on Ageing held at the Belair Community Centre on Wednesday.

Social Development official Bernadette Barry, who presented the recommendations towards the end of the forum, said the elderly population would like to live as long as possible at home in the environment with which they are familiar. They do not want to be placed in a home. She said the elderly could receive help to be as independent as possible.

Other recommendations made towards the winding down of the symposium were the increased social participation of the elderly and increased community collaboration for efficient and effective services for the elderly. Participants got a chance to vote on the three recommendations.

The symposium was coordinated by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour's Department of Social Development in collaboration with Social and Health Care Insurances SZV and the General Pension Fund APS. It was held as part of activities to mark International Day of the Elderly, themed: "Treasuring the Past, Sustainably Transforming to the Future."

Director of the Division of Ageing from the Ministry of the People and Social Development in Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Jennifer Rouse, who delivered the keynote address, alluded to the elderly as the "holders of history" and "keepers of meaning." Rouse said a population is considered aging if more than 10 per cent is over the age of 60. She said St. Maarten is ageing at the same pace as Trinidad.

She called on persons in the business and public sector to acknowledge the elderly and the struggles they face, particularly those who are retired and experiencing loneliness. She urged the public to stop profiling persons and remember that those in the service industry and part of the St. Maarten community are humans dealing with humans.

She reminded that when some elderly persons deal with the service industry, it may be the only interaction that they may have had for the week. Show them some courtesy and friendliness, she said. Rouse was considered a powerful speaker. She received a standing ovation at the end of her presentation.

Attorney and consultant Roland Duncan said it was only when he started writing his speech that he realised he is part of the ageing community.

Senior citizen and former bus driver James Maduro said the elderly have become undervalued. He said the older persons can still contribute to society. He touched on the loneliness experienced by some seniors.

"Seniors feel neglected by society and by friends and family. Most do not die of old age, but rather of a broken heart. Social participation is essential for the longevity of the elderly," he said.

Maduro urged the community and the various organisations, not just those offering services to the elderly, to add some colour to the life of seniors by getting them involved.

Other speakers included SZV Deputy Director Reginald Willemsberg, Civil Registry official Joshua Bell, environmentalist Tadzio Bervoets, educator Rhoda Arrindell, tax consultant Elton Felisie, Registered Nurse Maria Chemont and gerontologist Celine Carti-Brookson.

The symposium was geared towards discussing an ageing vision and framework for St. Maarten. The symposium focussed on key issues directly impacting the ageing population, such as values, family and participation of the elderly; culture, environment and conservation of the rich and colourful past in St. Maarten; education and ageing adults in an information age; income of the elderly and future elderly in St. Maarten; health, wellness and housing of ageing adults in St. Maarten, services and networking and creating relevant partnerships for improved services; and job creation for ageing adults of the population in St. Maarten.

The ageing of the population is a mega-trend influencing life across the world, the press release said. The number of persons age 60 and over will soon exceed that of persons 15 and younger. The Ministry of VSA as well as government are working diligently to develop policies to deal with the population shift.