A Committee intended to ensure that the condition of elderly facilities are improved was today launched by the Ministry of Social Protection at its Water and Cornhill Streets, Georgetown, location. The Committee is arguably the first ever elderly residential facilities visiting body.
Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally [front centre], Director of Social Services Whentworth Tanner [second left back row] and Ministry of Social Protection’s Permanent Secretary, Lorene Baird [second left front row] with members of the newly established elderly residential facilities visiting Committee.
The Minister explained that the existing services provided by the current elderly residential facilities may need to be modified, or in some cases, fully changed. To this end, she urged the newly established committee to work closely with the administration at these facilities to ensure that there are improved facilities and conditions for the elderly.
The Social Protection Minister noted that the aim, however, is not to only launch these committees, but to also act on them and ensure that work is being done. She said that Ministry is moving apace to better serve all Guyanese and is confident that her, “very responsive officers” will be able to do so.
Director of Social Services at the Ministry Whentworth Tanner highlighted that many of the existing facilities do not have the financial or technical resources required to effect the changes necessary to meet the minimum standards for elderly care. However, the Ministry will work with those facilities to ensure so that they meet, at least the minimum standards before 2018.
Tanner said “through this committee, the ministry hopes to identify innovative mechanisms to help existing charitable and nonprofit facilities to better serve the elderly in their care.