Portmore community rallies to pamper seniors

Two hundred senior citizens from the Waterford community in Portmore were treated to a day of care, comfort, and celebration on Saturday as the ninth staging of “Pampering Our Seniors” transformed the Waterford Community Centre into a hub of health, beauty, and gratitude.

More than 30 volunteers turned out, offering services in healthcare, cosmetology, barbering, and massage therapy. Seniors received manicures, pedicures, hair styling, massages and health checks and benefited from care packages, food, giveaways, and entertainment.

Hosted by Waterford Councillor Dr Fenley Douglas, the annual initiative placed particular emphasis this year on health, with doctors and other medical practitioners included to serve the elderly.

Paulette Innis, 70, who attended the event for the first time, said she had heard about the initiative in previous years but decided not to miss it this time.

“I came to the full package, my hair canerow, my fingernails manicure and my toes pedicure, and I am not disappointed. The persons doing it are professionals. This is really a good day for us seniors,” she said.

Gloria Simmonds, attending her eighth staging of the event, described it as invaluable to the elderly.

“We get taken care of in every way possible. We are pampered, fed, and we also get medical check-up. You wouldn’t know how we feel when we get our hair done, our fingers and toes done, and the love we are shown by everyone,” she said.

Simmonds added that she wished Jamaica had a special day dedicated to seniors and that the initiative could be replicated across every parish.

For Kennedy Allen, the health component was particularly significant.

“I was able to see the doctor, get my pressure and my diabetes check. I also got my hair trimmed and given a care package. This is a great event,” he said.

The Social Development Commission (SDC) has partnered with the organisers since the event’s inception. Parish Manager Ishiwawa Hope underscored its wider impact on the community.

“This initiative is very important because it builds the morale of the citizens in the communities. It shows that we care about our seniors,” she told The Gleaner.

Volunteers said the experience was equally rewarding. Cosmetology volunteer Jenene Mitchell, who has offered her services for nine years, said giving back brought her deep satisfaction.

“I feel like I am doing something great for the community, coming from a home where I was taught to give back,” she said.

First-time volunteer Shacara Hewit shared similar sentiments. “We have grandmothers, and we want to know that they are happy. I just feel elated doing this,” she said.

Douglas described the initiative as a dedicated give-back day for seniors in Portmore, saying it was conceived against a backdrop of what he views as declining care for the elderly.

“We have partnered with several agencies to give some form of comfort to our seniors,” Douglas said.

According to him, the motivation stemmed from the reality that many seniors are often overlooked after withdrawing from active service to their communities or from raising families.

“We have observed that treatment to our seniors today are different from former years – we don’t care for our seniors anymore. They are cast aside, put in homes. So against this background, we conceptualised this event to show some love to this group of citizens.”

He added that the initiative also strengthens community bonds, noting that the joy he experiences seeing the happiness of seniors being pampered is “unspeakable”.

Volunteers from the Portmore Heart Academy also participated, contributing to what many described as a memorable and meaningful experience for Waterford’s elderly residents.

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