Public Health Nurse educates elderly on their rights
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Right~~ CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - THE elderly in Nevis were on Wednesday told that the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees their rights.
Nevis Community Nurse and Manager at Gingerland Health Centre, Nurse Lorraine Archibald, spoke to scores of elderly persons who turned out at a special ceremony and luncheon organised by the Nevis Ministry of Social Developed at Ocassions. The event was held to mark the International Day of Older Persons.
This year’s theme, “Rights of Older Persons”, focuses on senior citizens’ right to care, participation, independence, self-fulfillment and dignity. It was chosen to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Achibald told the elderly that just like any other social-group, they should continue to play an integral role in “our lives and communities”, just as they did when younger.
Archibald based her address on Article 25, paragraph 1, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of sickness, unemployment, disability, widowhood, and old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”
She said the rights of the elderly could not be ignored as the population of the elderly was growing larger and its life span had increased. “Over the past decades, a massive change has taken place where fewer children are being born and fewer people are dying. According to the United Nations, by the year 2050, one out of five people will be aged 60 years and older and by 2150, one out of every three people will be aged 60 years or older.
“Since you will be living longer due to the demographic trends, you need to know your rights as older persons living in our communities,” Archibald told the elderly.
Major highlights on the rights of the elderly, according to Nurse Archibald, include right to food, water, shelter, clothing and health care. They have a right to access income generating opportunities and also a right to reside at home for as long as possible, she added.
Nurse Archibald also pointed out that the elderly has a right to remain integrated in society, participate actively in the formulation and implementation of policies, form movements or association, right to access social and legal services and right to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms when residing in any shelter, care of treatment facility, including full respect for their dignity, beliefs, needs and privacy and for the right to make decisions.
The elderly, Archibald noted, has a right to educational, cultural, spiritual and recreational resources of society and the right to be free of exploitation and physical mental abuse.
“You have a right to be treated fairly regardless of age, gender, racial or ethnic background, disability or other status, and be valued independently for your economic contribution,” she said.
