Caring for the elderly: A lifelong passion
ST MARGARET’S BAY, Portland: AS A child, Oriel Anderson Green was passionate about assisting the elderly. She would spend and share special moments with them every opportunity she got.
She pointed out that the caring attitude, which continued throughout her teenage years, was also extended towards children, and that it automatically became a part of her daily adult life.
“I felt very comfortable being around the elderly back then. Day after day, I would spend time combing their hair, taking firewood to them, sharing my dinner, and providing them with the little money I managed to save. Looking back, I realised that it was always in me to become an entrepreneur. At first, I wanted to operate a daycare centre; however, I couldn’t find the space. All my energy is now centred on this residential care facility for the elderly,” she told Rural Xpress.
The facility, which offers several services, including home visits, doctors’ visits, grocery shopping/prescription filling, nature walks, personal care, bill payment, cleaning and home ventilation, and socialisation with peers, was officially opened in May 2015 and is certified by the Ministry of Health.
Currently, eight residents, including 94-year-old Annella Edwards, are occupying the Homewel Nursing Home and Services facility at New Road in St Margaret’s Bay, which is owned and operated by Green. According to her, additional facilities are being built to accommodate and house at least 20 elderly residents.
A former schoolteacher, Green, who lists her hobbies as providing for the needy and less fortunate, watching television, and cooking, is upbeat about the days ahead, as she is focused on offering residential care services in other parishes, to ensure that senior citizens can be well cared for islandwide.
“I am assisted by my 64-year-old mother, Cerdilin Walker, who plays the role of supervisor and house mother. She basically overseas the dayto-day Oriel Anderson Green with 94-year-old Annella Edwards, a resident at the Homewel Nursing Home facility in St Margaret’s Bay, Portland.
operation during my absence and provides me with information as to what is needed. This is like a home away from home, and I am happy that I am now able to care for the elderly, which has been a lifelong passion for me.”