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The elderly complain

Nov 21, 2008 Features / Columnists

INTRODUCTION
The problem: Insecure retirement benefits for our elderly
This week alone, I personally returned over two hundred calls as a result of Vision Guyana’s advertisement on victimisation.  Most of the calls were from elderly persons who felt that they are being short changed by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
I was brought to tears hearing how many had gone daily to the NIS offices and returned home with no results. It is evident that poor records have been kept by the NIS over the last 20 years, and this has now resulted in people being refused their benefits.
Many of us are very concerned that most of the monies held by NIS have been invested in the Berbice Bridge, which is way behind schedule. Customer service is very poor when our elderly go to the NIS office for service.  This is a disgrace to our nation, and we urge the Minster of Social Services to pay more attention to this component of her portfolio.


BENEFITS
In reviewing the documentation of an elderly woman whose husband worked at GuySuCo and died a few years ago, NIS was giving her the basic benefit because they could not find his records. After reviewing many other claims, this seemed to be a trend.   One has to wonder whether a company like GuySuCo did not submit accurate records, or if it is the NIS that is not automated enough to track the payments made to them.
I received numerous calls from bauxite workers in Linden that also claimed that their benefits from NIS were below what they should be receiving.  They claimed that the NIS said that the bauxite company failed to submit their NIS payments.
Many complained about the poor customer service of the NIS staff and the years they have been battling to get their cases heard. It is a sad case in our nation’s history when one turns 60 and must now fight for what is rightfully theirs.
PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY
We must put in place specific programs for our elderly population.  One should not have to wait years for one’s benefits.   We need to institute senior citizen discounts on all aspects of consumer goods.   Other programs that will help the elderly are:

1. Village Assistance Program: Human Services Ministry to work with each region to improve the welfare of all elderly persons.

2. Guyana Marketing Corporation: To offer food items at reduced prices, and places for the elderly to go for certain items that are necessary for their health

3. Minister of Finance: Should provide in the annual budget increased funds for the welfare of the elderly.

4. Government must be committed to ensuring NIS benefits are solvent and viable for our people, now and in the future. I am opposed to using NIS funds for ventures such as the Berbice Bridge.

5. Many senior citizens need medication, which they have to buy privately.   We need to institute an elderly prescription help program, where they can receive these drugs at reduced prices.

6. If a senior citizen continues to work past retirement age, that citizen should be exempted from taxes up to a threshold of $75,000.

7. There is a great need to strengthen long-term care options.  We must continue to improve the quality of care for the elderly, including the training of more nurses and health care workers. Each village needs a senior citizen complex where they can go for help.

8. Implement a low-income energy program through which these folks will pay a reduced price for electricity.

CONCLUSION:
The basic principle we have to subscribe to is that no elderly Guyanese should suffer. It is a shame on all our elected leaders.  All of us working together (Government, NGOs, charitable and volunteer organizations, and private sector businesses) must make it a primary responsibility to ensure our elders are taken care of.
We must ensure that the benefits are solvent and viable for our people today and in the future. I welcome ideas from our readers to help all our elderly. Until next time, “Roop.”

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