Octavia Waight Centre
P.O. Box 167, San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize, Central America
Telephone: 501-824-2214      Fax: 501-824-2627

Bernadette Fernandez Chairperson - Liaison person - Resource Committee/Youth Group & fund-raising. Supervisory work. Signatory to checking accounts.

Elias A. Awe Financial management, administration, public relations, fund raising, projects and local and international agreements. Signatory to checking accounts.

Claudette Hulse Represent the Board of Directors at the National Council on Ageing and other like-minded organizations.

Myrna Martinez Staff - Board relations, public relations, and staff - supervisor relations.

Carmita Lennan Coordinator for catering/logistics for public functions, Board - Residents relations.

Clemente Cruz Advise on infrastructural projects at the OWC. Supervise and delegate chores to students and volunteers.

Josefina Chulin Plan and organize school children activities at the OWC.

Gloria Burns Assist with fund-raising activities and special functions at the OWC.

Desol Neal Organize 1 hour weekly visits of elderly persons to the OWC.

Sharon Polack Board representative of HelpAge Belize.

Ministry of Human Development Ministry representative.

Policies In order to have a uniform and meaningful set of policies to operate the residential home known as the OCTAVIA WAIGHT CENTRE, the Board of Governors adopts the following criteria and requirements for the effective functioning of the home: ELIGIBILITY Each applicant for residency will be considered based on criteria determined by the Board of Governors. Some of the criteria is listed below. Must be Belizean, over 65 years of age, able to walk or walk with a cane, and care for basic needs such as bathing. Those unable to care for themselves, or wheelchair applicants, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Must provide information on previous medical history from their doctor as well as a medical certificate stating that they are free from contagious disease and with no present or past history of mental disorder. A monthly contribution is asked of the family or responsible party of the elder; or proven information must be given, that he/she has no next of kin or other means of financial or other support. REQUIREMENTS Before any Senior Citizen is accepted at the Octavia Waight Centre, the following is requested that: At the time of taking up residence a legal transfer be effected i.e. an official document be signed by the prospective resident or next of kin and a Board official and a witness. No family member of any resident will be allowed to stay at the Centre for any specified time other than on the official visiting hours: 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Sunday to Saturday. The person must be continent of bladder and bowel. Able to bathe and care for personal cleanliness. Blindness or deafness acceptable. Mentally alert and with no dementia. Applicant must not be combative or disruptive. The person must not be a user of drugs or alcohol. back to top

Rules for Residents Residents will stay at the Centre unless they inform the Supervisor of planned absence and of their destination. Residents will do as much for themselves as possible to keep themselves, their clothes, beds and rooms, neat and clean. they will cooperate and/or work with the Care Assistant as necessary to assure a good quality of cleanliness. they will bathe regularly, preferably daily, after which they will wear fresh clothing. Board of Governors members are allowed into rooms at any reasonable time. Residents will all come to the dining table when called, and eat peacefully together. Residents should be kind, mannerly and helpful to each other; they should not call each other names, or swear at each other. Smoking is prohibited except occasionally on verandah. No smoking is preferred. Must work at acceptance of institutional living and be kind and cooperative. (These rules adopted in 1986. Revised: 1994, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2008) back to top