Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

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Social security minister Pearnel Charles, said that for the society to benefit positively, people need to take care of the elderly as they are the foundation of the nation.

Charles, guest speaker at the International Elderly Day ceremony at the New Testament Church of God in Old Harbour, St Catherine, said yesterday, "We need to return to a time when persons were very sensitive toward the elder folks, it is sad however, as now we seem to be lost, we cannot continue like this."

The minister and his junior, Andrew Gallimore, attended the function which was facilitated by the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC). Several hundreds of senior citizens islandwide, showed up to mix and mingle with their peers.

Charles said his ministry will be doing all to make the lives of the seniors better. "We are still putting plans in place to deal with you," he said.

Professor Denise Eldermire Shearer of the NCSC said there are over 300,000 senior citizens in Jamaica. "More care needs to be given to these people as they only need to feel belonged, not to be told that they are finished," Shearer said.