OF the 721 senior citizens who went missing in Jamaica between 2019 and 2024, some 65 have died, representing nine per cent of the total.

Among the dead are 55 males and 10 females.

This was revealed on Tuesday by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) in its submission before a parliamentary committee considering legislation to offer better protection to Jamaica’s rapidly ageing population.

Of those who went missing over the five-year period, 570 were males and 151 were female.

According to the the ministry, 424 or 59 per cent of those who went missing have returned home, while 232, or 32 per cent, are still missing. There are 317 males among those who are back home and 107 females. Among the missing are 198 males and 34 females.

The ministry, in its submission, noted that elderly males are four times more likely than females to go missing.

Meanwhile, the MLSS is considering the development of a Senior Citizens Tribunal that would be appointed by Cabinet. Its membership would be drawn from among suitably qualified persons with experience including in the legal, financial, social work/psychology/family therapy, and medical fields. A member of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) would also sit on the tribunal.

Among the functions of the tribunal would be to hear and determine complaints filed. It would also have the powers of a civil court with the ability to compel documents, issue summonses, examine witnesses, and make rulings for remedial action or awards.

Complaints lodged with the NCSC could trigger investigations, and it could also invite disputing parties to arbitration/mediation. Any unresolved issues will be escalated to the tribunal.

Among the questions to be answered are:

– Should the tribunal be akin to the Disabilities Rights Tribunal?

– Should complaints be lodged to the NCSC or to the Senior Citizens Advocate?

– Could/should a tribunal deal with matters of guardianship to better enable the process of supporting/protecting older persons, thus avoiding lengthy delays of the court system?

Of note is that the term senior citizen is currently legally undefined in Jamaica. The NCSC adopts the United Nations definition of 60 years and older. The World Health Organisation also defines a senior citizen as 60 years and older.

The MLSS also pointed out that no law in Jamaica outlines a retirement age as this is determined by the employer; however in the NIS Act, Section 10 (2), the eligibility criteria lists 65 years or 70 years.

In the meantime, the MLSS is also considering the development of a ‘wandering registry’ for persons prone to wandering.

It would be similar to what obtains in the United States and Canada and could include the following from those jurisdictions:

– information needed for a missing person report submitted in person or electronically to police;

– an updated or recent photo of the senior citizen.

The registry will be accessible by police personnel via any station or mobile computer device.

Also, when the family of an individual in the registry files a missing person report, an entry can be made quickly, and a BOLO (be on the lookout) can be relayed to local and national agencies.

A media release and social media posts with a photo of the senior can also go out.

This data is also used when the police encounter persons they believe may have Alzheimer’s/dementia. In such cases, seniors may not be able to identify themselves and/or provide the names, addresses, or phone numbers of relatives but if they are in the registry the police can compare photos and determine their identity, and within minutes contact a family member/caregiver.