A special day of celebrating Cayman’s older generation was held Monday during the George Town festivities for the International Day of Older Persons.
From 10.30am into the afternoon elderly people from The Pines Retirement Home, Elmslie Memorial Church and Church of God turned out to enjoy the festivities put on for them at the Family Life Centre on Walkers Road.
The day, which saw a chance for the older people to get together and meet some of those they had not seen in a while, culminated in a delicious lunch sponsored by Cayman National.
The Committee for the International Day of Older Persons is made up of Chairperson Dawn Rankine from the Department of Children and Family Services along with Joy Merren from the Health Services Authority and Mrs. Olive Miller.
Chairperson Ms Rankine explained that in 1991 the United Nationals declared 1 October as International Day of Older Persons. In the early 1990s the Cayman Islands adopted this date into its calendar. The occasion is celebrated in Cayman over the course of a month; it is spread out to allow for celebrations in each district and for older persons to attend some of the other districts’ days if they so wish.
‘It is a wonderful opportunity to allow our older people to meet those they hardly ever see and to reminisce and share their thoughts and news,’ said Ms Rankine.
‘We really encourage these activities for seniors because they are mentally stimulating for them and it is a social outlet,’ she said.
This year’s theme is ‘Protect our Heritage – honour older persons’.
Districts to still hold their celebrations are Bodden Town and North Side. Bodden Town’s celebration is tentatively set for 21 October at the Bodden Town Senior Centre. The North Side event is set for 28 October at the Craddock Ebanks Civic Centre.
The Governor Stuart Jack also held a tea party on 6 October in honour of the International Day of Older Persons when he had a chance to meet and chat with some of the Cayman Islands’ senior citizens.
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