Govt’s new ‘Century Club’ gives extra care to persons 100 and beyond

Persons who have crossed the milestone of 100 years of age will now be part of The Century Club – launched by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for the Month of the Elderly, which is celebrated in October each year.
In caring for its senior citizens in a special way, The Club honours those citizens in Guyana who have made it to 100 years, and even exceeded 100 years.

This programme aims to bring ease and comfort to Guyana’s longest-serving citizens by providing care packages, groceries, health checkups, vitamins, glucose testing machines, and other services. These items will be procured directly through the Ministry and through collaboration with various businesses, organizations and entities.
The Honourable Dr Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, has emphasised, “Our senior citizens have contributed in diverse spheres in our country, and I believe it is incumbent on us to ensure that in their later years they’re able to enjoy all amenities, facilities, and opportunities to have a good quality of life.”
Additionally, the Ministry has been constantly working on ways to improve the lives of senior citizens. Minister Persaud reiterated in her remarks, “We have moved a great distance with regard to pension in terms of our increase in pension, the early delivery of pension books, the introduction of the banking system, and also alternate venues; and we are working on other improvements that will come later, so that pensioners can really not have to suffer frustration and hassle.”

During the month of October, the Ministry will be rolling out a number of activities to engage and involve our senior citizens in ways that can impact their mental health and well-being, and overall wellness. Commenting on the impact the Century Club will make on the lives of senior citizens, Dr Vindhya Persaud said, “You will agree with me that when you hit 100 years, that century, you’ve done what not a lot of people not only in our country (but) our world have been (unable) to do. I believe we should honour; we should salute; we should pay tribute to those who have (attained this age). This is the Ministry of Human Services’ way of saying thank you to them, and really acknowledging their years on earth with us with something that’s impactful, practical, and something that I’m sure they will enjoy and appreciate.

“I’m very proud to launch The Century Club, and this is in honour of all those Guyanese who hit and surpassed 100 years,” Minister Vindhya has said.
The umbrella theme for the United Nations International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2022 is “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World.”
According to the UN, over the next three decades, the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion persons in 2050. All regions will see an increase in the size of the older population between 2019 and 2050. The largest increase (312 million) is projected to occur in eastern and south-eastern Asia, growing from 261 million in 2019 to 573 million in 2050.