Celebrating Yesterday’s Providers in Their Twilight

Once the backbone of Belize as caregivers, laborers, and essential members of the workforce, these individuals are now in their twilight years. This week, they are being celebrated during Older Persons Week, part of the International Day of Older Persons observed annually on October 1st to raise awareness about the challenges faced by aging populations. In Belize, the theme for the week is “Aging with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons in Belize.” Residents of the Sister Cecilia Home for the Elderly and Helpage Belize are enjoying a variety of fun activities designed to treat and pamper them, showing appreciation for their invaluable contributions to family and community. News Five’s Marion Ali visited with them today and filed this report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today began like any other at the Sister Cecilia Home for the Elderly on Wilson Street. However, this week is special for the twenty-three residents, who are receiving extra care, delightful treats, and engaging in fun activities to celebrate their lives. Supervisor Sherilee Selgado shares that there are plenty of exciting events lined up to honor these cherished individuals.

 

Sherilee Selgado, Supervisor, Sr. Cecilia Home for the Elderly

“Right now we are planning some light activities for the residents here at the home. We have um, pass the ball, we have chalupa, bingo, we have walking race, and we have a little light game of volleyball. They are not very active so we have to do light exercises for them so that they can keep up. We’re going to do a city tour on Friday that was done by Miss Pollack. She made that happen, so we’re going to take them on the train ride around the city to see everything. They haven’t come out of the home in a while so that should be fun.”

 

The facility is home to twenty-three elderly men and women. Alice Buckley is one of the residents. A former teacher and preacher at the Salvation Army Church, Buckley now leads the morning prayers at the home for the elderly.

 

Alice Buckley, Resident, Sr. Cecilia Home for the Elderly

“I was born on Victoria Street and I attended Ebenezer Primary, then we move over on this side. I attended Wesley Primary, Wesley Infants and Wesleyan Primary. And then, when I graduated from Standard Six, I went to St. Hilda’s – ACC now. And when I graduated from there, I entered – not immediately, but you know, tried to stay home a little bit with my parents – then, I went to Jamaica and I spent 19 years there.”

 

Buckley shared a bit of her contributions to the Salvation Army Mission upon her return home in 1988.

 

Alice Buckley

“When I came home in 88, I think I spent just a couple months, and then I was designated to be the principal there. I’m retired.  I only go to church as a member. And if they have anything special, and they think that I will be able to handle it, I do it. But you lead the prayers here? Yes, yes.  Most, most times because I want them to learn how to be fluent.  But they offer prayers also.  Because we are spontaneous in the arm, you know.”

 

Marion Ali

“Tell me what the prayers this morning was about.”

 

Alice Buckley

“I was saying that for us, we should go to God as often as possible because He’s a good God. When I said that, that’s the base. He’s a good God. And when we go to him, there will be no disappointment with him. Even if it appears negative to us, he is in control.”

 

A few of the residents are escorted over to Helpage Belize, located on the same compound, where they are given special pampering. They are joined by a few more who still live with their families but enjoy the activities at Helpage, like Yvonne Reynolds.

 

Yvonne Reynolds, Visitor, Helpage Belize

“We went to church on Sunday. We had a nice time at the park yesterday with all the seniors there from the Y and you know.”

 

Marion Ali

“Tell me how, not being a resident, how you’re able to take part in that?”

 

Yvonne Reynolds

“I just had a friend you know, she invited me over. Well, I didn’t even know about this place until she invited me and said, you can come over, you know? I said, right, and you can play a little games and so on, you know? Take part in it. Well, I like to play bingo. So you’ve come to play bingo now? Yes. Not today, but, you know, it’s on Monday. We always play it on Monday. On Tuesday we do arts and crafts. On Wednesday we do exercise. On Thursday they take a break. On Friday we do church service here.”

 

Marion Ali

“You take part now in these events?”

 

Yvonne Reynolds

“Yes, ma’am. I enjoy it. That’s why I’m always coming here, you know. I feel so hyped to come out here every day of the week.”

 

Today, Helpage treated the elderly to manicures, pedicures, hair braiding, and soothing massages. On Friday, the organization plans to take them to Banana Bank for a refreshing swim and some horseback riding. Marilyn Ordonez, Chairperson of Helpage Belize City, emphasizes the importance of these activities in showing the elderly that they are cherished and loved. For those living with potentially abusive relatives, Ordonez assures that Helpage steps in to provide support and intervention when needed.

 

Marilyn Ordonez, Chair, Helpage Belize City

“HelpAge does have a team that does home care. And we do look within the community to see if that is happening, because if that does happen, then we work with the Ministry of Human Services, who have persons in place to intervene on those behalf.”

 

Marion Ali for News Five.