PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Gromyko Wilson is calling on the government to confront mounting concerns over scarce senior-care placements, the financial strain on families, and the need for clearer standards and oversight in elderly care.
Wilson said relatives and friends of older residents have approached him for some time about the difficulty of finding suitable care. “I know of seniors who needed care but could not secure a place in a senior home because there was no available space, or whose families felt their cases were not being treated as a priority,” he said. “Some of those elderly persons have since passed away. Others remain in the same situation.”
Those gaps, he said, leave working relatives under heavy pressure, often without the nursing skills needed to care for someone who is bedridden or requires constant help. Families have described long waits for placement and the need to pool resources for private care. Wilson said those accounts raise questions that demand an official response, including the size of waiting lists and what support is available while families wait.
“Families are doing what they can, but many need help,” he said. “The government must put a plan in place. If a plan already exists, it should be made public so people can understand what assistance is available and how the needs of our elderly citizens will be met.”
Wilson urged the government to encourage more nursing homes and senior-care services that meet established standards. He also proposed that foundations already active in the sector be helped to expand through training, guidance and support. “Some foundations are already providing much-needed services, but their capacity is limited,” he said. “With the right support, qualified staff and proper oversight, they could help more seniors and their families.”
Affordability is another concern. Relatives report that private care can consume a large share of a pensioner’s income even as ordinary household bills continue. Wilson called on the government to clarify the rules governing the sector, review whether existing protections are adequate, and examine ways to make care more affordable.
“This sector provides an essential service,” he said. “We need a framework that protects elderly residents, gives families confidence in the care they are paying for and supports responsible care providers.”
He also pressed for more education and training for local nurses and caregivers, including study options on island, online, or through partnerships with nursing schools on neighboring islands. “If higher qualifications are going to be required, there must be a practical pathway for people to obtain them,” he said. “Investing in our care workers is part of investing in better care for our seniors.”
Wilson said the cases brought to him should prompt a wider assessment of elderly-care needs on Sint Maarten. “Our seniors deserve dignity and proper care, and their families deserve support,” he said. “The concerns are being raised. The government must now make clear how they will be addressed.”
