Group donates walkers for CNMI’s elderly

In recognition of the contributions of the elderly in the Commonwealth’s political, social, cultural and economic growth, a private Saipan- and California-based company reiterated its commitment to partner with the government in its efforts to ensure that the islands’ senior citizens are well cared for.

Emmanuel Staffing Services, Inc. officials on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, donated 134 walkers to the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs for use by the Aging Center’s elderly clients, who are in urgent need of assistive equipment that would aid them in their daily living.

Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta accepted the donation from ESSI president Sedy Demesa during a special Christmas program held in honor of the islands’ senior citizens.

Babauta thanked Emmanuel Staffing Services and Demesa for the walkers, which he said would be of significant assistance for the elderly as they move around and perform their daily activities.

“We thank you for these walkers and we hope that more from the private sector would realize the immeasurable sacrifices our senior citizens have made to make the CNMI what it is now.”

In turning over the walkers to Babauta, Demesa said the donation symbolizes ESSI’s commitment to support the government’s program for the elderly, as she assured the DCCA administration of her and the company’s unwavering commitment to be partners with the agency in accomplishing its mission to benefit the senior community.

The elderly community has a soft spot in the heart of Demesa since she also leads a U.S.-based healthcare company of 5,000 employees who take care of more than 5,200 senior citizens in various Pleasant Care nursing homes and convalescent hospitals throughout California and Nevada.

“The elderly usually develop physical limitations that necessitate the use of specialized adaptive equipment to help them be more independent. We hope that these walkers, besides trying to promote independence, would provide safety and stability for the elderly,” Demesa said.

She added that the walkers are especially helpful for senior citizens with functional limitations such as poor balance, decreased strength or movement, and decreased cognitive awareness. She also noted that the adaptive equipment are proven to help adults with physical limitations enhance their social interaction, improve self-assurance, and develop a more positive mental health so deserved in their lives.

The CNMI government, for its part, has been consistent in its efforts to improve the quality of life of all older persons in the Northern Marianas, as it dedicates a month each year for the elderly.

The Commonwealth, being a melting pot of cultures, is home to unique differences among the senior citizens population, thus the importance of knowing how to serve a myriad of unique ethnic, cultural, inter-and-intra-generational, geographical, and gender-specific interests and needs.