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TTARP RECOMMENDATIONS
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
Proposals/Recommendations
a. Life Certificates for the National Insurance Scheme
(NIS) and Government Pensions should be linked and
decentralized and ONLY be required to be submitted
twice yearly. District Revenue Offices should be
engaged in this service.
b. The National Insurance Pension should carry a guar
anteed period of ten (10) years. In the event of death
of the pensioner before 10 years have passed, the full
pension should be paid to the beneficiary for the
balance of the 10 year period.
c. The qualifying age for receipt of the Senior Citizens
Pension should be reduced from sixty five (65) to sixty
(60) years, and a means test should be introduced.
d. Pensioners should receive a tax free allowance of
$75,000.00 (instead of $60,000.00) on their annual
emoluments.
e. Public Servant Pensions should be pegged to the salaries
at which the public servant retired.
f. Government retirees who are widows and receiving a
reduced monthly pension of $2,750.00 shall be paid
the minimum government retiree and senior citizens
pension of $3,000.00 per month, together with the
arrears (from 2010).
g. Government should encourage the practice of
indexation among all Pension Plans.
h. An arrangement should be made for all gratuities etc.
to be paid to all Government employees immediately
upon retirement.
i. The “Pension Reform Working Group” should review all
aspects of Pensions and Welfare Grants. TTARP
should be represented on the “Pension Reform Working
Group”.
j. Introduction of tax allowances for those financially
supporting their dependent relative age 60 and over.
k. Reintroduction of Tax Incentives for Credit Union
Savings.
l. Provide for the removal or reduction by 50% of VAT on
all Bills for services for owner-occupied property
of persons sixty (60) years and over (e.g. WASA, TSTT
and T&TEC)
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Proposals/Recommendations
a. The Government should embark on a National Health
Sector Reform with a view to implementing: -
(i) A National Health Database system;
(ii) Issuance of a National Medical Card;
(iii) The improvement in the quality of C-DAP
pharmaceuticals and to ensure availability
from varied sources. Distribution should
be closely monitored to avoid wastage, etc. Also
inclusion of Alzheimer’s medications in the C-DAP
plan;
(iv) All State Health Institutions and Facilities should
be operated on a 24-hour basis with adequate
security and provide all necessary medical services
as well as the pharmacies should be fully staffed
with the required personnel;
(v) Visiting Mobile Units should provide health services
to rural areas; and
(vi) Priority should be given to regular public health
education programmes promoting healthy life styles.
b. A dedicated Cardiac centre is urgently needed
with sufficient echo-cardiography machines and cardio
technologies.
c. To ease the frustrating level of service at public
health institutions, preferential treatment re: attention
and dispensing of drugs at these institutions should
be given to Senior Citizens. Home delivery of
medications should be provided to senior citizens.
d. A “National Geriatric Hospital” is urgently required and
should be established for both teaching and patient care.
e. A Special Diabetic Institute is urgently needed with
emphasis on outpatient care and preventative medicine.
f. Hospitals and Health Facilities should have visiting
Chiropodists (Podiatrists)
g. Due to the high rates of Heart Attacks and Diabetes,
registered NGO’s should be given assistance to perform
Blood Pressure, Glucose and Cholesterol Testing.
h. As a matter of urgency, Government should embark
with co-operation from UWI Medical Faculty and other
Agencies on a continuing programme of graduating
Health Practitioners at Specialist and Post Graduate
levels.
i. The Ministry of Health should monitor the contents of
inputs into food products to ensure safe and healthy
levels.
j. Adequate medical health in Tobago.
k. Enhance staffing and equipment capabilities in the
areas of prevention programmes to avoid more
catastrophic interventions (eg. For diabetics– wound
care to prevent amputation; osteoporosis- to
minimize the number of osteoporotic related fractures;
Strokes- early treatment of patients when hospitalized
will improve recovery outcome; cardiac rehabilitation-
to improve outcomes after onset that will decrease re-
hospitalisation).
MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY
Proposals/Recommendations
a. More Community police are needed and should be
sensitised to the concerns (needs and fears) of senior
citizens within their community.
b. A partnership should be established between the
Ministries of National Security and People and Social
Development in the provision of protective services
to senior citizens and the disabled. The laws relating to
such crimes should carry more severe punishment.
c. Provide a broader and more effective distribution of
CCTV coverage throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
MINISTRY OF THE PEOPLE
AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Proposals/Recommendations
a. At all government institutions, special days per month
should be designated for senior citizens (passport,
driver’s license etc.).
b. Cultural Activities such as Drama, Song and Dance
should be staged at Communities in conjunction with
Senior Activity Centres.
c. Additional Government funded Senior Activity Centres
should be established in all districts with government
sponsored transport.
d. Dedicated trained staff at all Government institutions to
treat with Senior Citizens.
e. Special consideration and recognition should be given
to “centenarians” being made wards of the state. In this
regard, improvements in the quality of life should be the
objective. TTARP is available for consultation on this
issue.
f. Special incentives should be given for the establishment
of Community Homes for the Aged/Disabled. All
existing and future private commercial homes should
be licensed and registered along defined guidelines. This
license should be revocable. New homes will be
required to be evaluated prior to opening.
In all new housing developments and other appropriate
areas, Senior Citizens communities with accommodation for
singles, couples and small groups should be established with
the necessary infrastructures and amenities.
g. All Homes for the Aged should be monitored on
a regular basis by the appropriate government
authorities or agencies appointed in accordance with
legislation.
h. Government should provide a subsidy for home care
expenses for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
i. TTARP should provide services as Advisor to the
Government (in particular, Ministries of Social
Development, Health and Public Utilities) on all issues
relating to the welfare of our senior citizens.
j. P.T.S.C. buses should be made “user friendly” for all.
k. The Ministry should ensure that all Ministries and
Public Institutions provide quality service to Senior
Citizens, including appropriate physical amenities.
l. Ministries and Public Institutions should make it
mandatory that all pre-retirees be exposed to Retirement
Seminars from age fifty (50) and be sensitized to aspects
of retirement at least 10 years before.
m. The Burial Benefit offered to eligible Senior Citizens be
increased to $7,500.00 to match NIS burial benefit.
n. Ambulance and “Dial-a-Ride” systems, in addition
to public transport and ELDAMO, be implemented
to assist Senior Citizens (especially those who live
in residential/rural areas not served by public transport
and who do not have their own transportation or
the necessary family support) who experience
emergency and transportation problems.
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC UTILITIES
Proposals/Recommendations
a. Government should assist TTARP by providing a postal
reduction or subsidy for the distribution of its quarterly
magazine and encourage wider distribution.
Every year TTARP gets the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister , the Minister of Finance and other Ministers
to present our viewpoint on a number of issues pertaining to Senior Citizens in the country. This meeting takes place
annually prior to the National Budget, hereunder are our recommendations for Budget 2014/2015 :-
