Ageing for everyone, unless interrupted by death, is inevitable and irreversible. Older persons are the fastest-growing age group, the result of social and economic development and public health improvements which contribute to persons’ living longer. Guyana’s population of ageing persons, 65 years-old and above, is estimated at about 64,674 and is growing.
Ageing is unavoidable for everyone but older persons do have rights – which include living in a safe and sanitary environment, privacy, protection from abuse and access to social services. Most older persons will require care and support at some stage of their daily lives – such as bathing, dressing, self-feeding, getting in and out of bed and toilet hygiene – which may not be possible for disabled persons who may be paralysed. Older persons are often forced to rely exclusively on relatives for their upkeep, often engendering feelings of indignity and irritation.
Former President David Granger, speaking on the programme – The Public Interest – called attention to the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Ageing and Health, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2016, to ensure that the global response to population ageing is aligned with the objectives of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Further, the State is required to observe the five themes − independence, participation, care, self-fulfillment and dignity – derived from the UN’s Principles for Older Persons. The UN encourages states to provide access to food, water, shelter, clothing and healthcare for older persons.
Mr. Granger pointed out that ageing invariably involves issues of well-being because many more persons are living longer, but not everyone is living comfortably. The greatest health challenge for older persons is the increased incidence of non-communicable diseases such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes, depression, hearing and vision loss, pulmonary disorders and strokes. Stronger efforts are required to prevent and manage NCDs so that older persons can enjoy a higher quality of life.
The social determinants of health – such as social cohesion, social inclusion and social security – need to be enhanced by directing the national Public Health Service and systems to focus more on services that ‘accompany’ persons throughout their lives, however long. For example, the cost for residence in a home for elderly persons is high and the only free State-operated institution is usually overcrowded. Cases of older persons being abandoned at the State-operated Hospital for medical attention continue every week. P
ersons who were not registered with the National Insurance Scheme, or did not have the requisite number of contributions to qualify for a pension, will have only their State Old Age Pension – SOAP – and personal savings. The weekly SOAP – about G$10,000 – is far below a similar Barbadian payment and is insufficient to offset everyday expenses for food and medication. Older persons have found it difficult to access even the NIS pension and SOAP benefits and cash grants to which they are entitled. Earlier PPPC administration’s gross mismanagement of the NIS led to a series of unfortunate investments and diversion of pensioners’ benefits, the effects of which are still evident.
The Former President advised that a new National Policy on Aging – similar to that proposed by the APNU+AFC administration in 2017 – is needed to promote the social well-being of older persons by providing non-contributory, financial assistance to improve their quality of life. Older persons can continue to serve their community and country. Ageing with dignity should mean that older persons, at a minimum, should be comfortable, free, healthy and safe in order to enjoy ‘a good life’ in this land of their birth.
