Citizens are being called upon to give more respect to the staff of the National Assistance Board (NAB) as they carry out their work across Barbados.
Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, made this appeal on Tuesday, as he addressed a service of celebration to mark the close of Senior Citizens’ Month, at James Street Methodist Church, James Street, St. Michael
In commending the NAB employees, Mr. Humphrey described them as “amazing” and advised the public to treat them with “a little bit more respect”.
“I have had a number of persons come to me and tell me that when they’re trying to do their duties, it becomes more difficult…. We’ve had situations where, across the Ministry, people have to deal with dogs, or … neighbours or family members who are feuding; a brother and a sister feuding over the assets of an older person taking it out on the staff. This has to stop.
“Our staff, when they come to a household, they are coming to do work on behalf of the Government, but also on behalf of the older person, on behalf of the family. And we’re seeing a number of reports of people not being treated well,” he disclosed.
While he spoke to the need for families to have patience with persons with dementia, noting its potential to diminish an individual’s capacity, Minister Humphrey stressed that his Ministry wants to see people more involved in the lives of their families.
He said: “We have seen an increase in dementia. We know what dementia may do to a person, and it takes a lot of patience and effort to deal with a person who has dementia. And people who have dementia, as we all know, sometimes believe what they say, but what they’re saying is not necessarily the truth.
“And we also now have to have relationships. It’s like school. We want … parents to be more involved in their children’s lives, but they don’t come to the PTA meetings. We want persons who are associated with older persons to be more involved in their lives, but they only show up when there’s a problem, and of course, they show up even more so when the older person is dead and they’re seeking to claim the assets of the older person.”
The Minister praised staff across the Ministry for the work done during the COVID-19 period. While noting that some people may not remember COVID-19, he told those present: “But many of you put your lives on the line, literally, by dealing with older persons during COVID. And the Government of Barbados will never forget that, and we thank you for it. I want to encourage you, even as it’s difficult in the next few years to be able to do this work.”
Commercial banks also came in for praise for their efforts at assisting the elderly. Noting that recent situations pointed to the banks being “a lot more protective of older persons”, Mr. Humphrey said: “So that if a older person has dementia, and a family member shows up and is asking to move the assets into their name, or allow them access to the bank account, a lot of banks are saying ‘no’, that you need to either come with some support from the Ministry.
“You need to be able to prove that you’re next of kin, or you need to have a power of attorney, or something that gives you the authority to be able to claim these assets, and this is an attempt to protect the older persons. And I want to commend the banks in that regard.”