Centenarian, Ms. Emmeline Stoute, enjoying the company of Senator Reverend Dr. David Durant.
2016 Calypso Monarch, Aziza, took some time out of her busy schedule to share a toast with Ms. Emmeline Stoute and perform.
Ms. Emmeline Stoute, who celebrated her 100th birthday two weeks ago, received a special treat from her Jorris Dunner Elderly Day Care Centre family on Friday.
Ms. Stoute, who is the first centenarian at the Centre which officially opened in 2015, already had the honour of celebrating with Governor General of Barbados, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave.
However, on Friday, her milestone was recognised once again with much fanfare. A luncheon was held in her honour, which featured special performances from the new Calypso Monarch, Aziza and Gospel artiste, Paula Hinds.
Her youngest daughter, Betty Mason, shared that her mother, who was the 108th child of an overseer at Staple Grove Plantation, is still able to take care of herself with limited assistance.
Senator Reverend Dr. David Durant, Chairman of the National Assistance Board (NAB), expressed that Ms. Stoute joins that wonderful group of centenarians in Barbados, which to date stands at 114.
He revealed that for 2016, from January 1 to August 7, there were 37 centenarians and noted that according to records, there are a possible 23 more centenarians to be celebrated by December 31 of this year.
Dr. Durant further acknowledged that the Golden Rock, Pine facility is playing a significant role in the care of the elderly, giving persons the opportunity to drop off their parents in the morning from 7:30 a.m. and pick them up in the evening up by 5:30 p.m.
“This allows the elderly the opportunity to age with a sense of pride, dignity, and grace in a secured and safe environment. While it affords them the blessings of fellowship and communication with other seniors... As you can see, it’s a place of recreation to keep their minds active as they are involved in daily activities. Much care and love overflows from the staff and from each other, breaking that spirit of loneliness, depression and rejection in their senior years.”
However, he believes that more elderly day care centres are needed to cope with this country’s ageing population. “Barbados continues to maintain the highest number of individuals making the 100th birthday in the Western Hemisphere,” he pointed out. (TL)
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