BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER the past two weeks, some 40 senior citizens in the Sandy Point community have been the beneficiaries of a number of social and healthcare programmes initiated by Constituency Representative the Hon. Shawn Richards, and geared toward keeping the elderly in the loop of activities for the area.
From Monday, June 8, Richards, along with medical practitioners Drs. Leroy Richardson and Charles Warner, paid brief visits to the elderly and shut-in to check their blood pressure and sugar levels as well as to give them general physical checks. The Constituency Representative spent time with the senior citizens and, according to him, “showed my care for my constituents”.
Also, the Parliamentary Representative treated the elderly to an afternoon picnic at Brimstone Hill on June 20, where they had lunch, told stories of yesteryears in Sandy Point and socialised by playing games. According to Richards, the events were organised to give the elderly a chance to socialise and enjoy a day with their Representative.
“This is not the first time we have done this type of activity. We do checks for persons in need of medical assistance who may not be able to afford it. What it goes to show though, is that we are committed to ensuring that the people of Sandy Point, especially the underprivileged and elderly, are able to live healthy lives and get their checkups,” Richards said.
Richards said the elderly serve as an “integral link” between the community’s past and present and would influence the future. He added that the response from the elderly was “extremely good”, adding that he was able to enjoy spending time with the older individuals and be educated and entertained by their stories.
“A lot of them, due to illness, have not been able to meet others and enjoy the outdoors. In fact, for some, it has been years since they have been to Brimstone Hill. So, the idea for the picnic was welcomed by them. They had a good time fraternising and, at the same time, I was able to listen to their concerns,” Richards added.
Similar initiatives are expected to follow shortly to benefit the elderly, sick and shut-in, said Richards.
