CITING an incident in which an elderly woman was recently found wandering with a bruise on her head, Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) General Manager Angela Patterson says there is an urgent need to create a network of care for the elderly.

She stated that the network would create a holistic approach to tackle issues such as elder abuse, and missing seniors, and ensure the safety of the elderly during natural disasters.

According to data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, 721 seniors went missing between 2019 and 2024. Of that number, 65 — 55 males and 10 females — have died.

The data further revealed that 424 of those who went missing have returned home, while 232 are still missing. There are 317 males and 107 females among those who are back home. Those who are still missing include 198 males and 34 females.

The National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) also reported that between 2019 and 2024, there were 134 cases of elderly abuse, with 77 incidents listing family members as abusers. Caregivers were listed as abusers in 42 incidents, followed by strangers with nine and close contacts at six. The categories of abuse listed are neglect, financial, physical, emotional, and sexual.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed annually on June 15 to educate the public on ways they can protect older members of the population.

Patterson said the advocacy group has, for years, highlighted the issue of elder abuse in Jamaica and has worked with local authorities to provide solutions. However, she said a more holistic system is needed.

“One of the things that we believe needs to happen is to have some kind of network of care where somebody who hears something can call and report it. The problem isn’t confined to Kingston, it’s all over Jamaica so you want people who have an islandwide network — the police, nurses, the council for senior citizens, the health sector, the Church, all of these people that are everywhere, we want them to come together to form this kind of network so that everyone who hears something, if it’s not you, you know somebody who can be called to get involved,” said Patterson.

She shared that the CCRP was recently alerted about an elderly woman who was found wandering with a bruise on her head. When they took her home and informed the NCSC, she said they learned that the woman was sleeping on a verandah, but could not intervene any further.

“That network of care that I’m talking about would become effective in these cases. We at CCRP, all we can do is make noise, but if the Church were involved, or if the police were, they could follow up and intervene…We as CCRP could not gain access to the whole follow-up with that lady —we had no authority — so we need entities that have more authority to ensure certain kinds of follow-up happen,” she told the
Jamaica Observer.

She noted that while individual systems exist to tackle issues relating to elder abuse, there needs to be proper guidelines for each agency to follow and a checklist of steps that must be taken when these matters arise.

Citing that four seniors have died in house fires from December last year to May 24 this year, Patterson said the care system would be instrumental during natural disasters or tragic incidents.

“We don’t want to waste time thinking who is the right one to call. We need the fire brigade, we need people to be checking these seniors’ houses to make sure they’re fire-safe, that things are in order, and that it is safe. We need people from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management who have them on their radar so when there is a hurricane coming or anything, any kind of disaster, that they check on these people in a proactive kind of way.

“Don’t wait until things go wrong, and then you can’t do anything because they’re dead already. We at CCRP, we have put ourselves in the role of facilitator to pull together these agencies in the hope that we can evolve in way that will enable proactive looking after for our seniors,” she said.

Patterson noted that these and other suggestions have been made to the special select committee of the Senate that is reviewing the Elderly Care and Protection Act and has accepted recommendations on laws and policies to protect the nation’s elderly.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Labour said it is considering the development of a Senior Citizens Tribunal that would be appointed by Cabinet to hear and determine complaints of abuse filed. The tribunal 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.

The ministry also stated that it is considering establishing a wandering registry for people prone to roaming. The registry will be accessible by police personnel via any station or mobile computer device. When a report is filed, the ministry said a ‘be on the lookout’ alert would be sent to local and national agencies, as well as posted on social media.

Patterson noted that seniors who tend to wander often have dementia and might be aggressive when approached. She urged the public to be kind in their interactions with these individuals, and immediately take them to local authorities.

She also commended the Government following a recent announcement that nursing homes must be registered. She urged family members to look out for signs of abuse and play their part in ensuring the safety of the vulnerable group.

“If your person went into this home at 140 pounds and you see them dwindling to 120 pounds and they’re not sick, I would want to ask questions. What are the meals like? Are you eating? You have to keep your eyes and ears open and ask,” she stressed.

“The Government is doing its part as far as regulation and registration is concerned, which tells me that they have the regime to inspect and make sure that is up to self, but then the other side of the coin, [individuals] who use those services must be vigilant and must be mindful of the care being given to your loved one,” said Patterson.

PATTERSON… one of the things that we believe needs to happen is to have some kind of network of care where somebody who hears something can call and report it