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Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms Workshop Report

Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms Workshop Report. Financial Security Recommendations. Review & Amend Social Security Pensions Universal Pension created NCP does not include men- review criteria to make equitable Recognition of poverty - older persons should receive greater benefits

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Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms Workshop Report

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  1. Human Rights & Fundamental Freedoms Workshop Report

  2. Financial Security Recommendations • Review & Amend Social Security Pensions • Universal Pension created • NCP does not include men- review criteria to make equitable • Recognition of poverty - older persons should receive greater benefits • Unemployment Benefits available for 55-65 years • Review payments of social benefits to older persons – amount & method of payments (MHD) • Reverse Mortgage Programmes introduced

  3. Healthcare Recommendations • Free Medication to all Older Persons • Free NHI Countrywide • Improved Healthcare Services & Facilities • Convalescent / Nursing Homes • Free health visits by doctors & nurses • Greater availability of prescribed medication to rural & urban older persons – up-date formulary • Free flu shots for O/P & care givers

  4. Health Reform & Training • Greater concern for issues of Dementia & Alzheimer's • Training in Care Giving (Families) • Geriatric Training –put back in curriculum (Nursing School) • Offer scholarships for training Geriatric specialists • Greater preventative healthcare education • Promote healthy / active ageing • Greater provision / aid to O/P’s with disabilities

  5. Recommendations for Legal Protection of Older Persons • Amend all laws to benefit Older Persons • Social Security – access by all persons 65+ • Tax structure – Chapter 65, Sec 29 sub sec 1,2&3 Laws of Belize • Enforce June ’81 Social Security Law • Free Legal Advice & Representation • Reinforcement of Family & Children’s Act as it affects Older Persons care by family. • Implement NPOP Pg 29(I & ii) & Pg 30 (iv) • Amend laws to prevent misuse of SS Funds • Amend laws on Property Tax • Increase concern & prosecution for crimes of violence against O/P’s – stiffer penalties • Strengthen Legal Aid Service

  6. Recommendations for Education & Public Awareness • Dissemination of information on Older Persons to schools, media, workplaces & youth groups. • Continuous education/ training for Older Persons – Seminars & Workshops • Human Rights Education • Community Service Programmes directed towards working with O/P • Sensitization of children to issues of ageing – include in school curriculum • Showcase O/P – increase positive images • More awareness posters • Use media • Design life plan pamphlet – preparation for older age

  7. Recommendations for GOB • MHD - Human Services to assign responsibility to social worker for issues of O/P - COMPAR to assist with information & training in Human Rights of O/P - to review system of social assistance payments - to implement regulations for homes for O/P - to monitor & regulate care of O/P • MoH - to provide training in geriatric care to personnel - to provide training in psychiatry & psychology - to increase mental health services • MoF - to provide increased resources to all orgs working with O/P • MoE - to improve curriculum to include issues of ageing and care of O/P • MND - to include issues of age in population policy • AG’s Office - to provide assistance with drawing up Older Persons Act

  8. Recommendations for Research & Data Collection • Survey the present situation of O/P – up-date situational analysis • Data needed to improve services • # of O/P’s with Dementia / Alzheimer's cared for at home. • # of O/P with disability needing assistance • More accurate census information

  9. Upholding the Human Rights of Older Persons • Legislation needed as a measures to safeguard human rights of O/P • Amend / Enforce/ Enact laws that affect O/P • Development of an Older Person’s Act – O/P are important in own right – separate from Family & Children’s Act • GOB to uphold to Basic Human Rights of O/P • All O/P entitled to an identity – registration procedures to be improved to safeguard rights

  10. Recommendations for the Organization of Older Persons • O/P as educators: visit & talk in schools • O/P as advocates: to voice concerns and lobby for change & improvements • O/P as mentors: demand respect & consideration • O/P as monitors of services: e.g., health service • O/P as representatives: to sit on committees & make recommendations

  11. General Recommendations and Comments for Improvements to Situation of Older Persons • Greater Respect & Consideration • O/P to be afforded Dignity – not to be treated condescendingly or patronized • Buildings should be user-friendly for O/P providing greater access and mobility • Purpose built housing units/ communities • Stop discrimination • Assistance with costs of essential services & utility costs for O/P living alone e.g., light, water, telephone and transportation

  12. Strengths • NCA for support and coordination • Support of Service Provider Organizations • Ombudsman available to uphold human rights

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