The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Social Services and Development, Melanie Griffin, announced in Grand Bahama yesterday that her department will be opening a senior citizens unit and a unit for disabled persons.

Although the department has provided welfare services for the elderly and the disabled, she said they have never had specifically dedicated units. “We think Grand Bahama deserves to have its own units so we can really focus on programmes for older persons and persons with disabilities,” she said.

“Very often older persons are neglected and abused by family members, who abuse their old age pension, and the social assistance they get from Social Services. We want to put a stop to that, and that is why they are getting their own unit.”

Ms Griffin’s visit to Grand Bahama has two aims: to celebrate International Older Persons Day and to observe 50 years of Social and Welfare Services in the Bahamas.

Social workers and senior citizens attended a church service at the Pro–Cathedral of Christ the King at 9am. After the service, an exhibition highlighting the history of the Department of Social Services was officially opened at the C A Smith Office Complex on the Mall.

Mrs Griffin toured the newly relocated offices of the Department of Social Services in the Sun Plaza, where a small reception was held for older persons and social workers on Grand Bahama.

Mrs Griffin noted that social work has expanded in Grand Bahama since 1972 when the first social worker, Frances Charlton, was appointed. She also noted that social services really took root in Grand Bahama in 1978 with Blanche Charlton-Deveaux, in the area of Probation. She commended social workers for the work they are doing in Grand Bahama. “You have come a long way social workers; you expanded in Freeport and in Eight Mile Rock. While we provided services, the only two units we had not had are dedicated units for senior citizens and persons with disabilities,” she said. “Very shortly we will be opening those two units. I think it is fitting in Older Persons Month that we will have units for senior citizens right here in Grand Bahama, as well as a unit for persons with disabilities.”

According to the Minister, an office space has been identified to accommodate the units, which will have its own dedicated social workers dealing specifically with older persons and disability affairs.

Ms Griffin said the Bahamas has an aging society and older persons must not be left behind. “We must be about creating a society for all,” she said. “You are the foundation of this county and we want you to know that we appreciate the work you have done to make this Bahamas what it is today,” she told senior citizens.

“We want to make sure (they) are included in everything we do and we encourage family members to include older persons in decision making: they need to be a part of the process,” she said.

The United Nations theme “Leaving No One Behind: Promoting A Society For All,” has been adopted as the Bahamas’ theme this year for Older Persons Month. Some of the activities include a Wills and Spoken Request – Caring for the Elderly workshop at Eight Mile Rock Clinic on October 15, and Senior’s Dance and Laugh Exercise event at the YMCA.