The Ministry of Public Health Social Development & Labor under the auspices of the Departments of Social Development, Public Health, Social Services and Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs have jointly set up the project "Active Ageing Transportation for the elderly and physically challenged."
In the "Active Ageing Transportation Project" a registration drive will be held for the public in order for elderly and physically challenged persons to register for door to door transportation service. Persons of this target group that are in need of this type of service can indicate which services they need and also the frequency of service on a weekly/monthly basis. Government is assessing the need for door to door transportation service of this target group in order to have relevant data in this area for policy- and program purposes.
The registration drive for seniors and the physically challenged starts today, Monday, October 21, 2013. Senior citizens and physically challenged persons can either come themselves or have a family member or representative register them. The registration will take place at the following places. The Department of Social Services on the Pondfill between the hours of 1PM-5PM, and at the Community Helpdesks from 9AM-5PM in the areas of St. Peters (Rupert I. Maynard Community Center), Dutch Quarter(Next to Doctor Bryson clinic), Cole Bay(Methodist Church to the rear) or Gaston Boasman Helpdesk for the elderly and physically challenged in Hope Estate. One must bring along an ID for the registration. The registration form is asking for information as it relates to the transportation needs and frequency of transportation. Persons registering will indicate the type of service needed, such as for medical appointments/pharmacy visits; GEBE, TELEM, UTS to pay monthly bills; visits to the bank; grocery shopping; Visits to social activities/clubs and also Church visits, but services can be adjusted to the required needs.
"I am asking all our seniors and physically challenged persons who are in need of transportation services to come out and register, so that government can get an idea as to what type of service is needed in the community for this target group, and we also need to get an idea as to what other types of service may be needed," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever.
Active Ageing refers to trends all over the world in which the elderly are part of and involved in the communities that they live in. They are connected to their societies and are sometimes also contributing to development in their communities. Governments play a role in ensuring that seniors and the physically challenged are connected to their communities and that they have a good standard of living.