‘Make wills, don’t sign over your homes’ – Dr. Persaud tells seniors in protest against neglect, abandonment

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud has expressed deep concern over the growing trend of elderly citizens signing over their properties to relatives, only to face neglect and abandonment shortly after.

Speaking on an episode of the Starting Point Podcast aired on Friday, Dr. Persaud spoke about heartbreaking cases where seniors are left destitute soon after handing over ownership of their properties.

“Don’t get me wrong, I know that is their personal choice. But we see the fallout of it where two weeks after someone signs over their entire house, they are on the road. They are abandoned at Hugo Chavez [ Rehabilitation Centre]. We see a lot of dumping of seniors, whether at the hospital or at any of our institutions,” Minister Persaud revealed.

She is advocating for families to seek assistance from the Ministry rather than abandoning their elderly relatives.

“My thing is, if you know you cannot care for your parent, come and talk to us and let us find a good solution. Don’t dump them,” she said.

And so, Minister Persaud is urging seniors not to sign over their homes and instead prepare legal wills.

“Don’t sign over. Stay in your house, live there and make a will. We must promote the will-making thing.

“It really comes back to people being caring and not just taking from the older folks and leaving them,” she stressed.

She also outlined the Ministry’s strengthened partnership with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), which has significantly improved the care network available to vulnerable seniors. Through this coordinated system, the Ministry has facilitated surgeries, regular eye care, dental services, and access to infectious disease units for those at the Night Shelter.