Senior Citizens Benefit From a Range of Services at Ageing Fair

Emancipation Park in St. Andrew was transformed into a vibrant space in celebration of the country’s older citizens, at the 4th annual Ageing Fair on Thursday (Sept. 11). 

The event, hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the National Council on Senior Citizens (NCSC), was  part of activities in observance of Senior Citizens’ Month,  which is being observed from September 1 to October 1 under the theme: Respect, Protect, Empower, Connect.’ 

The day was dedicated to healthy, active, and productive ageing and included free health checks,  wellness and fitness demonstrations, counselling and social support, business services, free samples, prizes, games, and surprises. 

With 1,778 registered attendees and 62 public and private sector partners, the fair provided the opportunity for seniors and caregivers to access all the services they needed at one place. 

These included National Insurance Scheme (NIS), social pension registration, birth certificates, identification (ID), justice services, among others, 

Executive Director of the NCSC, Cassandra Morrison, who spoke to JIS News, said that the event aimed to “bring senior citizens closer to the service providers, raise awareness of the various services and create that space where the seniors can have their questions answered.”  

She noted that since its inception four years ago, the fair has grown tremendously and is eagerly looked forward to by senior citizens. 

“This morning we saw persons from as far as Westmoreland… we have expanded the number of partners, the number of sponsors and service providers. I think that senior citizens look forward to this event,” Ms. Morrison said. 

Programme Officer in the Solidarity Unit at the Ministry, Racquel Hudson, said that the team was signing up seniors for the one-time $20,000 grant under the initiative.  

“We’re here to reach them, supply them with the application and help them to complete the application today so that they can be in the system for processing,” she told JIS News.  

She noted that the Solidarity Programme is targeting 50,000 vulnerable Jamaicans. “Applications remain open until the end of the calendar year (Dec. 31) and currently they can access it [applications] by going to their Member of Parliament (MP),” Ms. Hudson pointed out. 

Meanwhile, seniors who attended the event expressed gratitude for the opportunity to access key services in one central location. 

Codgenton Cover, who travelled from Linstead in St. Catherine told JIS News that he was taken to the fair by his daughter. 

The 71-year-old, who was attending the event for the first time, said he was interested in replacing his passport, and taking advantage of the range of services being provided. 

Mr. Cover said he is pleased to see the focus being placed on senior citizens. 

“It is good…I appreciate this,”  he told JIS News. 

Director of the Anthurium Senior Citizens Club in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, Lios Dixon, said the event allowed her members to be better informed.  

“I just wanted them to participate in the different [activities] and to have them just interact with other seniors,” she said. 

Claudette Hanson, also a first-time participant from Trelawny, said the day was one of “great joy and blessings”.  

She was especially grateful for the health and wellness services. “My husband [has been] sick and they are saying that the doctors can go anywhere in Jamaica to give assistance and that would be a great blessing,” she told JIS News. 

Persons are being urged to visit the Ministry’s website or the NCSC offices across the island to access services and information on activities for Senior Citizens’ Month. 

The month-long programme is aimed at highlighting the contributions of senior citizens while ensuring their welfare, protection, and continued engagement in national development.