Cayman celebrates senior citizens
Guests enjoying the International Day of Older Persons lunch
(CNS): More than 200 seniors helped celebrate International Day of Older Persons at a special lunch on Thursday, 1 October 2015. The event also marked the start of Older Persons Month in Cayman. As it does every year, Cayman National Bank hosted the lunch, which was served by members of the Lions Club.
The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has planned a number events that will bring together persons aged 60 and over. In addition to recognising the ongoing contributions that seniors make to the community, objectives include raising older people’s awareness of issues such as healthcare and care planning, and also educating the general public about senior citizens’ unique needs, officials said.
Noting that this year’s theme is “60+ We All Matter”, Community Affairs Minister Osbourne Bodden, who has responsibility for DCFS, said, “As Government and the society at large, we have a responsibility to create a caring environment for vulnerable members of our community, including our senior citizens. To us, they are valuable treasures who have helped shape this democratic society in which we live today”.
This year the organising committee has appointed Evert Scott and Yvonne Miller as Older Persons’ Month ambassadors. Both are active in their respective districts and are advocates for all older persons. The committee will be carrying out media appearances throughout the month giving the public an opportunity to learn more about Scott and Miller.
Organisers have planned activities throughout October on Grand Cayman that include cultural performances, a prayer tea, and simple community gatherings. Several events will also be held on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Urging seniors to participate in the upcoming activities, DCFS acting director Paulinda Mendoza-Williams said, “We believe that the organising committee has developed events that will appeal to older persons on all three islands. We hope that they will take advantage of this opportunity to come together as a group and prove that, as our theme says, seniors do indeed matter.”
Minister Bodden called on the community to recognise the importance of seniors. “Older persons continue to play meaningful roles in all areas of our society; in politics, voluntary and community work and family life. For this reason we must do everything in our power to promote and protect their rights. It is also critical that we facilitate inter-generational activities so that our seniors can pass on their knowledge and experiences to our young people.
“I want to encourage each family to celebrate the older persons in their lives during October and all year long.”
Category: Community
