Older persons in St. Kitts-Nevis celebrated with month long activities in October

The Ministry of Social Services and Community Development Continues its thrust to ensure that older persons in the federation are remembered with its yearly observance of the Month of Older Persons from October 1 – 31.

The 2018 observance of the Month of the Older Persons is being celebrated under the theme “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions.”

Social assistance officer in the Department of Social Services, Ms. Laverne Richard, said that the programme to assist older persons was established in 2001 and spearheaded by Ann Wigley who recruited 12 home care officers to provide home help assistance to older persons.

“Other than elderly care, fun filled activities are also one way to show our older persons that they have not been forgotten,” she said, while noting that although the international celebration of older person was only designated for one day, the ministry decided to take it a step further with a full month of activities.

A church service was held at the Zion Moravian Church in Cayon on September 30, to launch the month of activities.

Ms. Richard said that the activities are not only limited to the Month of October but also throughout the year including a fun day where seniors are gathered for physical activities such as cricket, football, dominoes and other recreational activities.

Other scheduled activities include a trip to Nevis for the elderly march on October 5, a movie night on October 25, dinner at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel in Frigate Bay on October 28, a concert at the St. Peters Community Center, Ministers Community visits throughout the month and elderly spa days every Thursday in October at the Advanced Vocational Education Institute (AVEC).