By:Curtis Morton
Charlestown-Nevis-The general public on Nevis is cordially invited to a public awareness session in the form of a panel discussion, tonight, at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church conference room, starting promptly at 6 pm.
The panel discussion will elaborate on the topic: “Understanding aging; sensitization to education and programming.’
The featured panelists will be: Dr. Izben Williams; Dr. Joan Rawlins and Pastor Eunice Griffin. They will speak to various social and spiritual issues affecting the aged within our community.
The panel discussion is the collaborative effort of The Nevis Seniors’ division; the University of the West Indies open campus and the RIPPLE institute headed by Dr. Izben Williams, a noted Psychiatrist in the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis.
Site Coordinator at the UWI open Campus, Ms. Isabel Byron is appealing to members of the general public to come on out and be educated on issues pertinent to our seniors, within the community and learn how to identify them and even deal with them.
She noted that the UWI open campus has a mandate for public outreach and public awareness.
In January, her department assisted in hosting a UN official who presented a lecture on gender related issues. In more recent times, they coordinated a book presentation activity by Mr. Charles Wilkin, along with the Nevis Public Library. She stated that similar activities are being planned for the near future which will involve links with the Nevis Youth council and the Education Department on Nevis.
Coordinator of the Seniors’ division, Mrs. Garcia Hendrickson, pointed out that because some family members and care givers do not understand some of the issues related to aging, they do not know how to cope with them and the end result is that there have been reports of neglect and ill treatment at some homes.
She too is inviting all and sundry to be a part of the session this evening, noting that it will start at 6 pm but a light snack will be provided.
She is hoping for the formation of a support group, as a result of the session this evening.