Elder abuse is a rampant, yet severely under-reported social ill, affecting an estimated one in six persons aged 60 years and older around the globe. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is an opportunity to promote the dignity of older persons and advocate for their protection against all forms of abuse and discrimination.
The elderly routinely face prejudice, neglect and even violence at the hands of their loved ones, as well as carers in institutional settings. As global populations age and challenges to their safety and wellbeing arise, the need to create an environment conducive to their health and development becomes increasingly imperative.
Older persons have been disproportionately affected by the novel coronavirus as they are more likely to have underlying conditions than other age groups and are at a higher risk of severe illness and even death when infected with Covid-19. In many hard-hit countries, they faced discrimination in receiving life-saving treatments, which were often withheld in favour of younger patients. The ageist and unfair belief that older persons are more expendable was also evident in the callous and flippant behaviour displayed by many younger people in the earlier stages of the pandemic, when the virus was believed to affect only the elderly.
Measures intended to curb the spread of the virus have the potential of adversely affecting the physical and mental health of older persons. Policies adopted by care homes to safeguard their residents from infection precluded them from receiving visitors, which often contributed to loneliness, depression and anxiety. Even where older persons were isolating at home with their families, they may have faced increased abuse and neglect fuelled by tension, stress and uncertainty resulting from job or income loss.
Our elders have always played an important role in Caribbean society—as caregivers, community leaders and homemakers—and twelve percent of our population is over the age of 60 with this number set to rise in years to come. We all have a shared responsibility to ensure that older persons feel safe, included and significant in our communities and to protect them from harm. On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2020, I encourage all individuals to recommit to ending all forms of prejudice, neglect and discrimination experienced by our senior citizens.
To report abuse or to obtain further information, citizens may contact the Older Persons Information Centre hotline at: 800 – OPIC (6742).
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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
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Children from the Aspirare Learning Community visited the Office of the President today for a tour of The President’s House and grounds. The children had the opportunity to feed the fish in one of the ponds on the compound, ride in the Presidential car and interact with members of the Defence Force, including a soldier wearing a ghillie suit, which is a type of camouflage clothing designed to help the wearer blend in with natural environments. To close off their tour, the children, accompanied by their teachers and parents, serenaded tour personnel with two songs. We hope that they all had an enjoyable and memorable experience.
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#ICYMI November's Storytime at The President's House, visit otp.gov.tt or click on the link for the full albumshorturl.at/SJoKy#storytime #officeofthepresidentt
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#HappeningNowIt’s Storytime at The President’s House again and today we have 43 students all excited to read with Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Her Excellency engaged with the students as they read excerpts from Ky’s Magical Adventures, Where the garbage goes by Siam Cuffy- Young. Reading and comprehension are important elements of the initiative as the students discuss the story with Her Excellency at intervals. The initiative seeks to promote literacy, comprehension and the love of reading in children as it helps students develop confidence through public speaking. It also provides an opportunity for students to share their thoughts on reading, their passions, creativity and imagination. Her Excellency encouraged the students to keep reading and shared the benefits of reading in their lives. The standard 3 students participating in today’s installment are from Curepe Fatima RC, Chickland RC and St. Anthony’s Girls’ Primary schools. The programme has already received applications for academc year 2024/2025.#literacy #loveofreading #youthdevelopment#from
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The Office of the President was delighted to welcome students of the Malick Secondary School for a tour of The President’s House and grounds this morning. After viewing a short video on the role and function of the President, they explored the grounds, identified hidden soldiers and learned about a bivouac, which is a temporary shelter used by Defence Force personnel during training or operations. The tour continued inside the Great House where the young people re-enacted the Presentation of Credentials ceremony, signed the visitor’s book, and were even serenaded by a talented fellow student playing the steelpan. We hope the students had a wonderful time!
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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T updated their cover photo.
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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T's cover photo
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