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‘Things more peaceful’ at VG Elderly Home

-Compound in need of landscaping
The elderly residents of the Virgin Gorda Elderly Home are said to be enjoying much more peace and comfort now that the Public Works Department is no longer occupying a space in the compound. Photo: VINO
Diesel stains on the ground and the smell of diesel or waste oil is still in the air at the Virgin Gorda Elderly Home. Photo: VINO
Diesel stains on the ground and the smell of diesel or waste oil is still in the air at the Virgin Gorda Elderly Home. Photo: VINO
This area in the compound of the Virgin Gorda Elderly Home could do well with some landscaping work. Photo: VINO
This area in the compound of the Virgin Gorda Elderly Home could do well with some landscaping work. Photo: VINO
The Virgin Gorda Elderly Home is located in the Valley, Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
The Virgin Gorda Elderly Home is located in the Valley, Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- The elderly residents of the Virgin Gorda Elderly Home are said to be enjoying much more peace and comfort now that the Public Works Department is no longer occupying a space in the compound.

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”

  • pat (09/07/2013, 14:53) Like (6) Dislike (6) Reply
    after all the years of RTO doing nothing see NDP did it...hehehehe
  • asura (09/07/2013, 15:16) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    a country is judged by the way it takes care of its elderly..
    • virgin gorda (09/07/2013, 16:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Kudos to the Ministry of Health for hitting the nail on the head!

  • nonsense (09/07/2013, 15:33) Like (1) Dislike (22) Reply
    God bless NDP again. SMH
  • tortola massive (09/07/2013, 17:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The building also needs a paint job. If the Ministry could arrange for a clean up of the property and painting of the building, I would be pleased to donate a weekend to help.
    • @Tortola Massive (09/07/2013, 22:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wonderful idea! A suggestion ... One can start by asking the VG Lions Club, for example, to coordinate the effort, with persons from the community donating paint and time. A great step towards VI pride.
  • land mass (09/07/2013, 20:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this were they have the old people living? Man we are a third world country
  • . (09/07/2013, 23:21) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Leh the governor paint it instead of keeping all those parties.
  • Shara Parlin (10/07/2013, 00:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    There was a little improvement with the PWD gone, but this has a long way to go to truly make conditions livable
  • ausar (10/07/2013, 07:32) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    What a shame!

    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.


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