The government of Antigua and Barbuda is facing a troubling trend of elderly abandonment, especially within the confines of the nation’s primary healthcare facility.
This concern was brought to light following observations of a growing number of healthy elderly individuals stranded at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, unable to leave due to being forsaken by their families.
A cultural shift in elderly care
The phenomenon was discussed extensively during a recent Cabinet report, which shed light on the societal shift affecting how the elderly are cared for within the community.
The Information Minister, Melford Nicholas, provided insights into the issue, suggesting a cultural drift that undermines traditional values of elderly care.
This shift has led to an increasing reliance on government facilities to support the abandoned elderly, a solution that is far from ideal.
Challenges in accommodating the elderly
With the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre grappling with the dilemma of healthy elderly patients with nowhere to go, the discussion turned toward potential solutions.
The Fiennes Institute, a government housing facility for the aged and destitute, was considered as an alternative.
However, it faces its own set of challenges, including limited space and legal complications, hindering its ability to serve as a viable solution for all affected individuals.
Plans for future facilities and the ongoing neglect
In light of these challenges, there are plans underway to develop a new home for the aged and infirm, aiming to provide a more sustainable solution to this growing issue.
The project’s realization hinges on the acquisition of necessary capital resources, marking a step towards addressing the needs of the elderly population.
Despite these efforts, the current situation at the Fiennes Institute paints a grim picture of neglect, with many seniors left without family visits, their only interaction with relatives being the exploitation of their financial resources.
