Older Persons Month launched in Grand Bahama

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas - The Department of Social Services has announced plans in observance of Older Persons month which is recognized globally in October.

The Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, along with the Department of Social Services Disability Affairs and Senior Services Unit has planned a number of exciting events that are sure to make older persons in Grand Bahama feel appreciated.

Department of Social Services Assistant Director for the Northern Bahamas Dorothea Gomez revealed on Thursday, September 26 at a press conference at the Social Services Department that the Senior Services Division uses the entire month to express love and appreciation for seniors and puts great emphasis and honour on a number of outstanding older persons in the community of Grand Bahama.

"We have unsung heroes among us. We have many of those who are even clients of this department and so it is fitting for us to recognize these persons during this time. We try to show during the Month of October some appreciation to our seniors because it is on their backs, their shoulders that we stand," she said.

Darren Williams, social worker in the Seniors and Disabilities Unit also revealed that the celebration will kick off with a church service on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jones Town, Eight Mile Rock at 10:00am.

An exhibit highlighting Alzheimers, dementia and glaucoma among the nation's older population will also be hosted simultaneously at the C.A. Smith Building in Freeport, the Obadiah H. Wilchcombe Complex in Eight Mile Rock and the High Rock Community Clinic beginning Wednesday, October 16 to Friday, October 18 from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

The climax of the month will be an honourary concert at New Destiny Kingdom Centre on October 26, 2024.

The deadline for all nominations is Friday, October 11, 2024.

Godfrey Theoc, Senior Case Aide in the Seniors and Disabilities Unit, noted that this year's nomination process is different from past years and will feature both males and females.

Nomination forms will be available at the department's headquarters in the Sun Plaza, the Obadiah H. Wilchcombe Complex and all of the Urban Renewal Centres throughout Grand Bahama.

The Department has also partnered with Home Away from Home to encourage members of the community to visit the senior residents at the home for lunch, story time or an outing during the month of October.

Mervie Knowles, residential care facility operator at Home Away from Home, said it is daunting for some of the residents to look on as loved ones come in to be with their fellow residents and no one shows up for them.

"It's really difficult when you have loved ones there and no one comes to visit them. They start to develop an attitude, get angry and frustrated over situations because they're thinking no one cares for them," she said.

Knowles added that it's never too late to adopt a granddad or grandmother and is also encouraging members from the public to assist the home while they are caring for the seniors in the community by dropping off donations such as cleaning supplies, beddings, blankets, socks and tams.

HONOURING SENIORS - The Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, along with the Department of Social Services Disability Affairs and Senior Services Unit has planned a number of exciting events during October to commemorate Older Persons Month. From left are Godfrey Theoc, Senior Case Aide in the Seniors and Disabilities Unit; Mervie Knowles, residential care facility operator at Home Away from Home; Dorothea Gomez, Department of Social Services Assistant Director for the Northern Bahamas and Darren Williams, social worker in the Seniors and Disabilities Unit.

(BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)