THE REGION needs to adopt a disaster plan that includes the ageing "as a matter of urgency".

Noting that the older people in society were increasingly vulnerable during and after disasters, Minister Of State in the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Urban Development Patrick Todd said yesterday that consideration for the elderly had beenlacking from disaster management policies and plans.

"In recent times, we have seen the devastating impact of natural disasters within the region and no doubt, older persons have been negatively affected given their lessened physical capacity and abilities.

"These persons, their homes and children in their care are particularly vulnerable to such disasters which can result in loss of life, immense structural damage, increased poverty and a reverse of developmental gains in the affected countries," Todd stated.

But while disaster management is not yet on par, Todd said Barbados had started on a course to allow older people to lead "dignified, healthy and secure lives".

Recommendations

He cited the establishment of a National Policy on Ageing and a National Committee on Ageing, which both make recommendations to government on matters relating to the ageing.

A 2000 survey suggested that the over 60s represented 15.58 per cent of the total population. More recently Barbados was among in the first 50 per cent of ageing populations.

(YB)