A troubling new revelation has emerged from a recent government report: the elderly in Jamaica are being mistreated most by the very people entrusted with their care.
The findings, presented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) to a parliamentary committee this week, suggest that abuse of older Jamaicans is not an exception — it’s a growing crisis hidden behind closed doors.
Covering a five-year span from 2019 to 2024, the report revealed 134 confirmed cases of elder abuse. In a startling pattern, the majority of those responsible were not strangers or criminals — but relatives and paid caregivers. Family members were named in 77 cases, while 42 involved caregivers. The rest were committed by acquaintances or unknown persons.
The abuse spanned multiple categories, but one dominated the data: financial exploitation. Elders — particularly women — were targeted for their pensions, savings, or property, with 43 documented cases. Neglect and abandonment were nearly as prevalent, followed by physical and emotional abuse.
In a society where the elderly are traditionally respected and cared for, the findings have shaken policymakers. “This is not just about statistics,” one government advisor noted. “It’s about the erosion of dignity in the twilight years of life.”
Female seniors bore the brunt of the abuse across nearly every category. Emotional abuse cases showed a 2-to-1 ratio of female to male victims, and 28 of the 43 financial abuse cases involved women.
The MLSS is now calling for urgent action, including stronger legal protections and better oversight of caregiving arrangements. A bill aimed at safeguarding seniors is currently under review in the Senate, with advocates pushing for faster intervention powers and harsher consequences for exploiters.
As the country ages, the report raises an uncomfortable question: Who’s really looking out for Jamaica’s seniors?
