Adult Day-Care Centres to be opened

June 16, 2012:

Soon persons who care for elderly relatives will have less to worry about as the Ministry of the People and Social Development will launch the country’s first ever Adult Day-Care Center.

Line Minister, Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh explained the Centre will provide a “drop off and pick up” service for senior citizens during working hours.

Ramadharsingh made the announcement during the launch of the Senior Citizens' Center at YMCA's Compound, Wrightson Road.

He explained that the centre would be accessible to the more infirm, elderly persons with non-infectious chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

The launch of the "Elders in Action" Senior Activity Center marked one of many such centers nationwide.
Ramadharsingh said the centers should not be seen as somewhere to “play cards” but were meant to foster and expose the elderly to networking, congregation and fellowship with their peers and the younger generation.

He added the centres would provide the elderly with an avenue to be physically and mentally active, rather than be at home depressed or disconnected from the rest of society.
Ramadharsingh also stressed the need for inclusion and protection of the more vulnerable persons in society, namely children, pregnant women and the elderly.