Elderly - Haiti Observer Blog

The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) takes place every year on June 15th. The date was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 66/127, December 2011, acting from a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA). The first World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was commemorated in June 2006.

The objective is that on this date is for the whole world to send a message in opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of the elderly population. It has also for objective to promote laws and policies to address all aspects of elder abuse.

Read more →  

One of the oldest known Haitians, Cicilia Laurent, doed at the age of 120 years. She died in Montreal, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, many relatives and friends. Cicilia Laurent was born January 31, 1896, and recently celebrated her 120 years at Consulate of Haiti in Montreal. She may have been one of the oldest persons in existence as the Guinness Records was recently doing some research to officially establish her birth record.

What do you think?

Read more →  

According to USA Today, a Haitian couple currently living in the United States is believed to be the oldest married couple in Rockland. Husband Duranord Veillard just turned 108 while his wife turns 105 in May. The two have been married for 82 years.

How many of you currently married feel that you can ever reach something like this.

With a marriage that has lasted longer than most people ever live to be, Duranord and Jeanne Veillard are planning to meet their respective birthdays this year with 82 years of marriage behind them, with more to come judging by their continued health. 108 as of February 28, Duranord and his wife, who will be 105 in May, are thought to be the oldest married couple in Rockland County where they make their home.

Read more →  

The government of Haiti's (GOH) latest corruption scandal has erupted over state-worker pensions (ONA) being moved from Central Bank (CB) to individual accounts at National Credit Bank (NCB).

Testifying before senators, Director Bernard Degraff, who runs the National Office of Pensions (NOP), evaded inquiries on how pension funds ended up being diverted to NCB. The transfer happened without state workers' foreknowledge, and in violation of Haiti's Constitution. It states no pension funds are to be moved from CB to any other financial institution.

Bernard Degraff, President Martelly's appointee to ONA, had been under investigation even before the pension-fund scheme was uncovered. Reports from inside GOH have alleged other instances of mis-management Degraff has been involved in. He is reputed to have fired scores of government administrators for no apparent reason, and given himself a whopping salary increase. GOH investigators have been combing through documents and interviewing NOP agency workers to compile a list of charges they will indict him with.

Read more →  

It has been reported that the Director-General of ONA, Bernard Degraff, spent a rough time today. Director of the ONA Bernard Degraff was in the Haitian Senate on Monday to answer charges of frauds and corruption. he was asked directly by the Chairman of the Committee of Security and Justice Haitian Senate, Pierre Francky Excius, to resign his post.

Direktè Jeneral la nan ONA, Bernard DeGraff, te pase yon tan ki graj jodi a. Direktè a ONA te nan Sena ayisyen a pou li te reponn akizasyon frod ak koripsyon. Prezidan Komite Sekirite ak Jistis, Pierre Francky Excius, mande Bernard DeGraff pou li bay demisyon li.

Read more →  

When considering what gifts to buy an older person, think about convenience, comfort, and safety. As part of the aging process, older people lose some of their ability to function as they once did. Their short-term memory is not as intact. They may have had a hip replacement that didn't turn out so well and now they hobble, instead of walk. Their diminishing eyesight requires them to wear reading glasses. These are just a few of the changes an older person deals with as they age.

In terms of consumer spending habits, older people have acquired all they need to have a good quality of life. They tend to spend less money, and are wary about marketers trying to part them from their cash. Unlike younger people, more prone to buying trendy clothes, the latest tech gadgets, and fancy cars, older people save more of their income. They are looking at retirement and how they will maintain their standard of living then.

Read more →  

Elderly people, who have become weakened with age or certain medical conditions, need help managing their daily activities. Below is a list of gifts to give an elderly person to help make their lives easier.

For people who don't have a caretaker helping them dress, buy them elastic shoelaces, a stocking pull-on, button aid, zipper puller, and dressing-aid stick.

People with other mobility problems could benefit from the Clap-On, Clap-Off remote switch for lamps or TVs, an over-bed table, a shoulder-support telephone receiver extender; and a well-equipped lap desk.

People no longer ambulatory need an electric wheelchair, a wheelchair clamp-on umbrella, and sunglass clip-on reading magnifiers.

Read more →  

Elderly people are not as mobile and quick as they used to be, and lack the strength of a younger person. Gifts that lessen the stress of performing tasks and offering protection should be high on the list of gift givers.

The bathroom, particularly the bathtub or shower stall, is the riskiest place in the home for them. Gift them with hand rails and support bars to steady them. Add a bath or shower mat to avoid slips and falls during showering or bathing.

Elderly people's musculature weakens as they age. Sitting and standing becomes difficult, especially when using the toilet. Buy a portable raised toilet seat and toilet safety-arm rest. Similarly, buy a remote control device for their landline phone to avoid repeated efforts at standing or sitting.

Read more →  

According to her birth certificate, Cecilia Laurent was born on January 31, 1896 in Croix des Missions, Haiti. She is a survivor of the 2010 Haiti earthquake that destroyed her home. Cecilia, or "Gran" as her family and all those who come to be in contact with her would call her, has been living in Canada since the 2010 earthquake.

Cecilia Laurent experienced the American Occupation in Haiti. She also was alive during the first and second world wars as well.

She has six children and many grand children and even more great grand children. Her oldest child was 96 years old in 2011.

Read more →