THE three elevators at the Palms Geriatric Home which were scheduled to be installed last December will now be completed by February 9, Administrator Samantha Douglas told the Guyana Chronicle recently.  Due to some minor setbacks, the project could not be completed on time, Douglas said, adding that the contractor last week checked the power supply and did some corrective works on the base of the three lifts.

The elevators are expected to significantly ease the burden of the 220 residents of the facility in climbing up and down the stairs. The elevators are being funded by the Government of Guyana at a cost of approximately $13M. Douglas addressed concerns of whether or not the building is capable of taking on the elevators.

“We had experts involved to advise us, so we are not worried about how old the building is. As much as the building is old, it is made of good greenheart wood; quality materials, some of which are no longer available on the market today. So as much as it has aged, it is still sturdy,” said Douglas.  The administrator had previously told the Chronicle: “We always look for initiatives to help improve the lives of the residents and since it is very difficult for them, the lifts would be very helpful.”

The Palms has 74 caregivers and one registered nurse, Ms. Malena Elias Cox DeSouza.     “We have about 220 residents, but we have the capacity to facilitate 240,” the administrator said, adding, “We need registered nurses and ward sisters who would be able to supervise and help the caregivers, so that a better service can be given. Supervision is very important.”