Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) visiting an ederly member of the community. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The government-funded Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly where some elderly members of society reside. Photo: GIS/File

Photo of the Territory’s centenarians being honoured by the Social Development Department in 2023. Photo: GIS

Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to the minister following the publication of the article ‘Financial hardship for VI families: Growing cost of care for elderly’; the first in a series looking at social issues in the Virgin Islands.

The piece delved into the rising cost of caring for the elderly and ill family members. 

Speaking to VINO today, Friday, February 14, 2025, Hon Wheatley said through the Social Development Department persons can apply for public assistance, home care, disability, and even hardship grants.

Public Assistance grants already increased- Hon Wheatley

Hon Wheatley also said the Public Assistance Amendment Act, which was passed in July 2024, will come into force by the end of March 2025.

“Because the categories are a bit narrow, we are widening the categories and trying to increase the amount that each category receives,” he said.

From February 2025, current grant recipients will see an increase in the amount they receive.

“Some will go as high as 120% increase, 70% increase, and the lowest is 60% increase. So all the things you've asked about, they're currently in place,” he said.

Hon Wheatley however advised that there are criteria that must be met in order to qualify for these grants.

“There’s an intake procedure that will determine who qualifies. Not because somebody is in hardship, it wouldn't mean that they qualify for assistance,” he said.

Forms are available at the Social Development office that asks what the individual’s needs are.

“Based on your needs, it goes to the committee, and the committee will deliberate over whatever you presented, and they make a final decision…The committee meets minimum once a month. So, again, depending on the emergency protocol. So some things can be done instantaneously and then ratified afterward when the committee meets,” he explained.

Prepare for old age- Hon Wheatley

Our story indicated that it may cost families tens of thousands of dollars to care for their elderly, ill, or disabled family members whether through in-home care or by placing them in privately owned institutions.

Hon Wheatley said he believes preparation for old age must be done as the Virgin Islands has an aging population.

“Let's say you have a two-bedroom house, and the bedrooms are upstairs and the kitchens are downstairs. Then you have to put in a staircase and some kind of apparatus to take the elderly person, who might be wheelchair-bound, from one floor to the next. So we encourage persons too when you're building homes, think about this period of time in your life when you might not be able to climb those stairs,” he explained.

Hon Wheatley therefore encouraged those who will engage in new builds to factor in these possibilities when building their homes.

“We have an aging population. I mean, about eight to nine persons over a hundred years. So clearly we see the population is aging. And what we have to do is, for one, be thinking of old age…If we're blessed, we'll be old, and age also has its challenges,” he said.

Open debate on caring for the elderly- Hon Wheatley

Hon Wheatley added that the question of caring for the elderly and who is responsible is an “open debate question” as to the best answer.

“I imagine it would vary from person to person as to what is the best approach…Are you going to look towards home care or look towards institutional care? As a government, we have to be mindful that everyone can't afford home care. Not everyone can afford an institutional place,” he explained.

Hon Wheatley continued Virgin Islanders tend to be very prideful people and often times there is a stigma attached to the “poor home or old people’s home” and those there may sometimes feel abandoned.

“That’s something that we need to actually consider…We shouldn't put old people aside because they're no longer valuable in terms of doing stuff. But I do believe that people need to be mindful as to whether they want to do home care for their aging parents, or if they simply want to put them in an institution and help pay the cost of their care there at the institution,” he stated.

Hon Wheatley added it is a balancing act in terms of caring for older persons.

“We owe it to them to have a comfortable golden year. We owe it to them to do that, along with their families,” he stated.

Hon Wheatley also said he has a heart for the elderly and often spends time visiting with them. 

See link to previous story

Financial hardship for VI families: Growing cost of care for elderly | Virgin Islands News Online