‘Things more peaceful’ at VG Elderly Home
Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark H. Vanterpool, speaking at the Government’s ‘One the Road” meeting at the Catholic Community Centre in Virgin Gorda on May 29, 2013 had said he was pleased to announced that the Public Works Department had removed their equipment from the compound of the Virgin Gorda Elderly Home.
He said he was aware that there was some discomfort expressed with the Department having a presence there.
According to one of the caretakers at the home, the area is much more peaceful for the elderly residents especially at nights.
“Things more peaceful here now. It used to be terrible at nights because vehicles would be in and out at all hours and making much noise. That is not an issue any more,” she told Virgin Islands News Online.
The area, however, could do with some sprucing up now that the compound has been cleared of all the machinery that used to be there.
Virgin Islands News Online visited the Home on Saturday July 6, 2013 and quickly noticed there are still a lot of diesel stains on the ground and the smell of diesel or waste oil is still in the air.
“When Ms [Dancia] Penn was the Minister in charge she had sent some persons to check out the place for landscaping and other things but the government changed soon after.”
Asked about the issue of space, the source said that while the building is small, there was not an issue of overcrowding.
Meanwhile, over on Tortola, Government is in the process of constructing a state of the art facility for the elderly at Spooners Estate and has viewed the project as necessary in response to the growing needs of seniors in the Virgin Islands, and especially the residents of the current Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton had previously stated, “We recognise that the needs of today’s seniors are changing and we must be proactive. This proposed community will provide a safe, engaging and comfortable environment where the residents can live and interact with others. Additionally, they will have easy access to specialised nursing care.”
Eight options for residential units or studios will be offered. Studios will be designed to accommodate the various needs of seniors as they age. Options will include private or shared studios; and private or shared apartments.
Additionally, it will offer a relief day programme for caregivers and a childcare centre for visitors.
The facility will also offer a residential ambiance with unit entrances accessed from a private courtyard and balconies offering views of the sea and the surrounding landscape, the release had stated.
10 Responses to “‘Things more peaceful’ at VG Elderly Home”
Look how the VIP have the old people living; in squalid conditions!
And the VIP is balking about leaving a legacy? Well this is surely a "beautiful" pictorial legacy to leave behind. Sadly, there are many pictorial "scenes" like this around the territory.