Concerns of elderly broached at well-attended symposium

�Sarah: We need to look at new realities

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten's changing demographics have to be taken into consideration when looking at ways of addressing issues affecting senior citizens, says Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams.

At the time she was speaking to the capacity crowd at the start of the two-day St. Maarten Seniors and Pensioners Association (SMSPA) seminar at Belair Community Centre on Monday.

"The demographics are changing rapidly. For many years St. Maarten could boast of a young population to carry the rest of the population, including those who have given the rest of their productive lives to St. Maarten. Those demographics are changing and we need to continue to look at ways to offer that support and basis to provide the services that seniors and pensioners need," said Wescot-Williams.

"When all is said and done, over the last year and a half the number of legal residents in St. Maarten has changed. In fact our registered population, just because of the Brooks Tower Accord, has increased by approximately 5,000 persons.

"Even before that we have seen in the social system that persons who came to this island to seek employment are now ageing themselves and are going to continue to be part of this community. In other words, the number of persons for whom you will be discussing solutions today has increased, but in this complexity there are also opportunities."

Wescot-Williams said Country status gave St. Maarten the opportunity to address the "fragmentation" of medical and other services. She said these now could be "brought together and looked at from the interest of the various groups in our society, especially the elderly and the pensioners."

Poverty among pensioners and access to health care are the main issues the association is highlighting at the conference, which ends today. SMSPA will also be gathering the views of its members on how to move forward on these concerns.

Wescot-Williams said she was heartened that the association was addressing these issues. She said the establishment of government's Community Help Desk was expected to bring government closer to the people.

"There are so many of our seniors who day after day continue to make a contribution to their groups of friends and peers and to the society in general. They deserve our applause and recognition," she said.

In her PowerPoint presentation, Health Ministry Acting Secretary-General Jorien Wuite outlined the vision of the health ministry as well as government's roadmap to reform social security. She said pensioners in Country St. Maarten "have a stronger voice." She implored them to "use it well."

Also addressing pensioners were Neil Henderson of Henderson Insurances, SMSPA President Patricia Flanders and First Vice President Raymond Jessurun, and Secretary of Education Carl Cooner.

NAGICO Insurances and FATUM had booths set up at the seminar to give information to pensioners.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/12541-concerns-of-elderly-broached-at-well-attended-symposium-.html

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