Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin (second left) at the official opening of the new unit.

THE MINISTRY of Social Services is considering legislation in the Bahamas to protect the elderly from neglect and abuse, Melanie Griffin said on Friday during the opening of a new unit for senior citizens and the disabled in Grand Bahama.

Mrs. Griffin, minister of social services, said that her department has been receiving reports of abuse and neglect of the elderly and that it is time to put a stop to it.

“We know that older persons often are neglected, and they are abused - believe it or not, we get the reports. They are verbally abused, some of them are physically abused, and many of them are financially abused,” she said.

Mrs. Griffin said it is surprising to discover the level of financial abuse that happens to older persons who receive old age pension from the National Insurance Board.

“It should not be, but some children actually refuse to allow them (older persons) to manage their own money. When they get their pension, they don’t know how it is spent and the light is off, and there’s no food in the cupboard. It is time we put an end to that,” she said.

“And it is time that persons who neglect and abuse emotionally and financially any older person know that we will put the law on you.”

According to Mrs. Griffin, the Department of Social Services provides assistance to 833 senior citizens in Grand Bahama.

“We are providing you today with your own division and all your needs and any complaints you have will be responded to (by this unit),” she said. “The division seeks to ensure the safety and well being of our older persons.”

In response to why a unit was not also opened in Eight Mile Rock, Mrs. Griffin said: “I can tell you the government has really been doing its best to make things easier for older persons and persons with disabilities and that is why it was so important to introduce the pre-paid cards in Grand Bahama.”

She noted that people in the far settlements in the east and west no longer have to keep going into Freeport and Eight Mile Rock to get food coupons.

“They are now able to have their pre-paid cards and use them in the areas in the stores where they live, and so the long lines have been eliminated,” said Mrs. Griffin.

“Now we understand that there some of you, based on some of the qualifications, have been taken off the cards for food assistance, but I take this opportunity to remind you that there is a right of appeal and if you feel you have unfairly taken off, all you have to do is put in that appeal and we will give your application reconsideration,” she said.

Mrs. Griffin noted that disability directly affects about 15 per cent of the population and impacts everyone one way or another. The Disability Affairs Unit caters to deaf, visibly impaired, physically disabled and mentally disabled. Each of the various groups was represented at the opening.

Jonathan Cooper, of the Grand Bahama Deaf Association, spoke about the challenges the deaf face in getting access to higher education and securing meaningful employment in Freeport.

“The deaf community has had a hard time… getting accepted into BTVI, COB and other programmes because there is no help. We would like the (establishment) of an institute programme for the deaf and hard hearing to gain understanding and the skills for the workplace,” he said.

He also noted that deaf people are mostly unemployed. “Many of them are going to the foodstores to pack bags to earn a living, but I know they can do more to help themselves and their families.”

Mr. Cooper said that deaf people are unable to get loans from banks adding that there is a need for more interpreters in Grand Bahama for the deaf to assist them, especially in court. He also said they are looking to have a shelter for the older deaf persons.

Leona Armbrister, of the Association of Visibly Impaired, also talked about how poorly the blind are treated in society by various persons, at banks, government offices, even at social services when they go there for assistance, and when crossing the street.

“This country is not disabled friendly. People need to be more sensitive to the needs of the blind and visibly impaired,” she stressed.

Derrick Nottage, of the Northern Council for the Disabled, said there are 106 disabled members in Grand Bahama. The REACH Association was represented by Dorana Russell, who gave some useful tips about to detect symptoms of autism in children. Anita Wilson spoke on behalf of the Retired Persons Association for Grand Bahama.

Senior Deputy Director of Social Services Lillian Quant-Forbes, the former head in Freeport, said it was good to see the various associations represented at the opening on Friday.

Mrs. Griffin urged everyone to support continued effort of the Department of Social Services as it works to extend or assistance through the new Disabilities Affair Unit Division and the Senior Citizens Division, which was officially opened by Lady Laurie Miller, the widow of the late Sir Albert Miller.

By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter

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