Nursing Home Resident Uses Skills to Be Productive
Tirisa Qocatabua may be a resident at the Golden Age Home in Samabula, but she is determined to be productive and make use of her sewing skills.
The 51-year-old was part of the Open Day yesterday selling her doormats at $5 and $10 each.
She came to live at the nursing home aftern her leg was amputated.
She was unable to take care of herself and has lived in the home since 2016.
But once a week she visits her daughter and her family in Tamavua.
Ms Qocatabua has been sewing doormats since last year. She is from Ovea, Bau in Tailevu.
Her husband is no longer with her, but Ms Qocatabua is hopeful that she can keep herself occupied and still live a happy life.
“This keeps me busy and I can improve my sewing skills and I also get resources to sew,” she said.
The day’s event saw a special guest who paid a visit to the nursing home.
A total of 58 residents attended this Open Day which included snacks, handicraft sales as well as music and entertainment.
Regional Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Pacific Dr Chitralekha Massey said: “The office of the United Nations Human Rights considers each one of you a very important element and part of everyday life, the foundation of our society. “People over 60, the numbers of people in that age group are increasing in an unprecedented rate all over the world.
“At this moment, it is estimated that over 240 million people are over 60.”
“It’s very necessary to acknowledge and understand that each need is specific and that everybody must have the right to live an active life and we will continue to be in society that isolation and discrimination should not be the lot of people,” said Dr Massey. “At this time we are aware of the challenges that you face and these are discrimination. In many cases its poverty, others it is violence and abuse.
“But in many cases there is a trend that you are surrounded by loved ones and care and this is the way it should be.”