Jean Lowrie-Chin, founder of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP)
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By Romardo Lyons
Reports of elder abuse continue to be made to the authorities.
And while some people think the abuse is only physical, it may take many forms, including including financial abuse and neglect.
As a result, the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) wants legislation to protect seniors fast-tracked.
Data from the National Council for Senior Citizens show that financial abuse accounted for approximately 32 per cent of reported elder abuse cases from 2019 to 2024.
Neglect and abandonment accounted for 29 per cent, and physical abuse, 19 per cent.
The Child Care and Protection Act stipulates that if someone knows about child abuse and does not report it, they are also liable.
Jean Lowrie-Chin, founder of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons want similar legislation for seniors.
"Neglect is abuse. The person may need hygiene assistance, nutritional assistance, and they're not getting it. That is abuse. And therefore laws must be there to make sure that the people who they cared for will now care for them," she insisted.
On October 7, 2025, Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. said the government was advancing legislation relating to elder care and protection.
"It marks the critical next step toward enacting a comprehensive legislative framework for the care and protection of Jamaica's older persons," he said.
As reports of elderly abuse continue to land on the desks of the police and agencies established to protect elders, the CCRP wants more drastic consequences for those who know and turn a blind eye.
"The thing with our seniors and our elderly is that they are very proud people and they don't like to complain, and therefore it is up to us to make sure that we look out for them so they are not there suffering in silence," urged Mrs. Lowrie-Chin.
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