AS Senior Citizens Month ends, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr has urged Jamaica’s older citizens to remain active, engaged, and to be vibrant participants in their communities.

Charles Jr said, “The message is clear: Our senior citizens are not to be relegated to the sidelines but should remain vital and engaged members of our communities. They are a source of wisdom and strength, and their active involvement can lead to a richer, more inclusive Jamaica.”

Senior Citizens’ Month began on Sunday, September 17 with a national church service at Power of Faith Ministries in Portmore, St Catherine.

Under the theme ‘Embracing Wisdom, Uniting Generations’, National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) hosted various activities across the island including an official launch ceremony at AC Hotel Kingston; the Grandparents’ Day celebration at the The Verandah, Juici Complex in Clarendon; and the seniors’ tree-planting ceremony at Vere Technical High School.

At the heart of the month’s celebrations was the distribution of baskets, which saw selected senior citizens receiving appreciation baskets and specialised mugs delivered by Charles, a team from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and the NCSC.

Another highlight event was the National Senior Citizens’ Spelling Bee Competition wherein seniors representing the 14 parishes competed for the National Senior Bee Trophy. The first-place winner was Marie Purcell from St Andrew, with Venita Hanson from Kingston and Ericka Walker from Trelawny placing second and third, respectively.

Senior Citizens’ Month ended with the Seniors’ 2K Purple Run/Walk 2023 in Ocho Rios. The month’s observation officially ended on Friday, October 13, 2023.

Stressing that the celebration and recognition of Jamaica’s elders should be a year-round commitment, Charles Jr said, “By staying active and engaged our senior citizens can continue to inspire, mentor, and contribute to the well-being and prosperity of Jamaica.

“I continue to encourage them to share their wisdom and experiences of things that they have done well and things they would do differently, and to use this as an opportunity to really put that knowledge to the generation coming up. We see our senior citizens as a very integral part of our community. They have a role to play; they’re not sitting down at home withering. We want them to be here, to be present, and to know that we support them but we’re expecting them to be actively involved in the community still,” he added.

The Government’s framework for the National Policy for Senior Citizens places a strong emphasis on bolstering the self-reliance and functional independence of senior citizens, while also actively promoting their continued engagement in their families and communities.