By Foresee Foundation
For the past 15 years, the Sint Maarten Seniors and Pensioners Association (SMSPA) has been a steady voice advocating for the rights and welfare of seniors and pensioners. We sat down with Frances Rovelet, one of SMSPA’s dedicated board members, to gain deeper insight into the challenges facing the elderly community and the role the wider public can play in supporting senior-focused initiatives.
SMSPA partners with and represents various senior-focused organizations on the island. Together, they work to uphold the human rights of seniors and address pressing issues such as inadequate pensions, the rising cost of living, limited healthcare and housing support and, in some cases, abuse and neglect of vulnerable seniors. Rovelet herself devotes much of her time voluntarily assisting seniors – sometimes informally – with matters such as notarial or land succession issues, transportation and referrals; and other times – formally – through collaborations which include partnerships with groups like “Home Away from Home” led by Patsy Flanders, government ministries, the Red Cross, the anti-poverty platform in partnership with labour unions, and the Alzheimer’s support group.
While progress is being made, such as the upcoming “Convention on Ageing” hosted by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA, daily struggles continue to weigh heavily on seniors. Many pensioners receive an income that falls below minimum wage, leaving them unable to cover rent, utilities or nutritious meals. Healthcare remains a major bottleneck, with long waiting times for specialists, limited spaces in elderly homes, and insufficient caregiver support as Alzheimer’s and stroke cases rise. Housing neglect also continues, with seniors facing deteriorating living conditions.
When asked what the community could do to make a difference, Rovelet emphasized the importance of community care: “Community work is very important. Some communities have councils that know where their seniors are, but if not, it’s a good idea to map this out. Especially for those living alone, we should know where they are and check on them to make sure they are safe or if they need help.”
Looking ahead, SMSPA hopes to involve more young people in their work. This includes spending time with seniors for companionship, lending a hand with practical tasks like yard work, and learning the value of community support from an early age. Rovelet stresses that these values are not new, but rather traditions that have been lost: “A long time ago, these things were done naturally, but nowadays everyone looks out only for themselves. We need to teach young people that caring for each other is part of who we are as a community.”
For more information or to get involved, the SMSPA can be contacted at +1 721 586 4260.
