Kitson Town Centenarian Hailed as National Treasure

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, has hailed centenarian James Taylor as a “national treasure” in his Kitson Town, St. Catherine community.

Dr. Tufton, who called on Mr. Taylor at his home recently, on the occasion of his 102nd birthday, said the senior citizen is an example of the importance of healthy living in the early years.

He said there is a lot that young people can learn from Mr. Taylor to ensure their longevity.

“A 102-year-old resident is a national treasure of the community and can impart life lessons around eating with little sugar and salt, and cutting back on fried foods,” the Minister said.

Mr. Taylor told JIS News that he was pleased with the visit by the Minister and the items he brought.

The centenarian, who has been married to wife Marion for over 65 years, credits his long life to sticking to his Christian principles and refraining from unhealthy lifestyle habits. “It’s a lot of things but God is number one,” he said.

The senior citizen made a call for the youth to “live good with people and avoid destroying your bodies with things like smoking and drinking. The drugs and rum, they spoil people’s brains; people do things and are sorry after. You must keep the mind clear, so that you can think and do the right things,” he said.

A host of support services are provided through several ministries and agencies to benefit Jamaica’s elderly population.

These include in-home care by nurse aides and volunteers, who assist with health, personal and domestic needs, through the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

The NCSC also has a feeding programme where cooked meals and food packages are delivered to elderly shut ins.

Persons with the NCSC’s identification (ID) card can access discounts on various goods and services.

In addition, the National Health Fund (NHF), an agency of the Health Ministry, provides payment subsidies for essential drugs for several chronic illnesses through the Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme (JADEP).

The programme is open to Jamaicans over the age of 60. To benefit from this provision, applicants should take their tax registration number (TRN) and a JADEP application form, completed by a physician, to an NHF office. The form should indicate the applicant’s illness (es).

Several illnesses, such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease often accompany advanced age, and the Ministry is encouraging family members caring for elderly persons who are ill, to find out as much as possible about the condition, how it will progress and what to expect at each stage.