The founder of the Dominica Dementia Foundation, Rianna Patterson, has taken the case for older folks to the Commonwealth Head of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda. During the Commonwealth Youth Forum which held on June 20-21, Patterson said a “multigenerational commonwealth” should be created in which older people are made to contribute to nation-building.
Lamenting that old people were grossly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Patterson said older folks across Commonwealth nations suffer social discrimination, domestic abuse, and untimely death. She added that for too long, the older generation have had their needs ignored and rights violated in a manner that undermines respect for old age and progress in the society. She noted that old people still have a lot to offer in piloting the younger generation.
According to Patterson, it is true that 60% of the populations of people in Commonwealth countries are under the age of 25, but that does not mean that national policies and development should be targeted at this young age only. She said everyone has something to contribute to regional growth in the Commonwealth, and the experiential skills of old people are needed to support and steer the younger generation in all they do.
We are living in an aging population, especially in Dominica; our elders tend to live over 100 years. It is important that we share insights, perspectives and resources to build a sustainable future for all. To ensure there is equal access to healthcare and recreational developments that will improve the standard of living for future generations.
Rianna Patterson
CommonAge Chairman, Andrew Larpent; Charles Mbugua, head of Commonwealth Organisation of Social Work (COSW); Professor Kathleen McCourt, President of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation (CNMF); Freda Miriklis, Chair, Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network (CBWN); Victoria Rutter, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association (CPA); and Soroptimist International among other participants at the CHOGM also voiced for support for including older people in decision-making and policy development.
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