J.C. Mac DonaldHome for the Aged
History from 1931 – 2024
Situated at Lower Independence Avenue in the City of San Fernando, Trinidad, the Home started as a dismal looking ill-lit building on the outskirts of San Fernando to become a show piece Home for the Aged now in the heart of the city.
The Home was founded in the year 1931
J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged
as an East Indian night shelter for destitutes and pavement dwellers most of whom came from the environs of San Fernando, viz. (Union Hall, Retrench, La Romain, Cocoyea and Vistabella)
The facility was built on a parcel of land rented from Caroni Limited after an approach to G.B. Westwood, the General Manager of Usine Ste. Madeleine Sugar Company. He liked the idea and subsequently a lease for 99 years was drawn up and the property was leased to E.M. Lucky, Budri Ramkissoon and Victor Ramsaran in their individual capacities. After their death the property with the kind co-operation of the lessors was vested in the Incorporated Trustees of the Presbyterian Church.
SERVICES OFFERED
Professional geriatric care for the elderly.
Availability of a caregiver to assist at all times
Personalized care based on individual client
J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged We Provide
Assistance with personal hygiene, meals tailored to dietary needs, medication administration, laundry, housekeeping, recreational and social activities, and emergency care.
24/7 availability of a nurse and on-call doctor.
Accommodations:
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Starting at $3,800 for a basic single-unit room with shared bath facilities.
Contact Information:
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- Phone: 657-8832 (available from 8 am to 2 pm for inquiries)
- Email: jcmhome1931@gmail.com
- Office visits are available by appointment for a tour of the facility.
Our Team Members
J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged
Mr. Kelvin Harnanan
Treasurer
Dr. Allan Mc Kenzie
President
Joan Awardy
Secretary
Since 1931 – 2024
J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged
On the Formal Opening of the New Residential Block on Saturday 26th August, 2000
First of all, let me welcome everyone here to this function at the J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged. We are very happy that you have responded to our invitation to be with us on this special occasion.
Let me assure you that your presence here was not at all intended to be decorative. Everyone here has some special significance with regard to this function. Everyone here has played a part in this special mission of the Home for the Aged. I welcome you once more on behalf of the Management Committee of the home as your presence obviously lends much dignity and worth to this memorable occasion.
J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged
Our Timeline
From 1931
The Home was founded in the year 1931 as an East Indian night shelter for destitutes and pavement dwellers most of whom came from the environs of San Fernando, viz. (Union Hall, Retrench, La Romain, Cocoyea and Vistabella)
The Sita Mc Kenzie Block
“The decision to help, as taken by the Hon. Sadiq Baksh, as the real catalyst that propelled the project forward. The members of the committee pray that he will be especially blessed in life for what he has done here.
In terms of additional assistance, I must mention Carillion West Indies Limited who joined with us in sponsoring a Golf Tournament that realized over $71,000.00 for our project. We look forward to their partnership this year in another such tournament. Our gratitude and thanks reach out to them as well.
In addition, based on an application we made some time ago we were very fortunate to receive a grant of $14,450.00 for the specific purpose of furnishing the rooms in the new building. This funding has come to us from the Community Development Fund of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Development. We have already drawn half of this amount for the rooms on the ground floor. As occupancy takes place we would be more fully furnished. We have been blessed richly once more by Government through the Community Development Fund.
Projects Funded
Active Cases
Number of Rooms
Volunteers
Christmas Time
J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged Sharing the love
GAME NIGHT Friday's
J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged
Join us for an enjoyable game night every Friday, where caregivers and residents come together to unwind and share laughter in a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a perfect opportunity to relax, connect, and create cherished memories. To reserve a spot for your loved one, simply reach out to us at 352-8301. We can’t wait to see everyone there!
Messages from the past membersJ.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged
The Home continues to progress through the dedication and commitment of the Executive Members who have also gone the extra mile to ensure a high standard and smooth running of the Home.
My vision for this Home is that with the involvement and input of all the stake-holders, it will develop into an institution where standards are of the highest; an institution of which we will all be proud; one where service, caring and love for our elders will never be compromised.
The J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged is reflective of our diverse society built on a foundation of love, hope and charity by visionaries who saw the needs of society. The light of their ambition continues to be rekindled on a daily basis by providing shelter and support for those destined to its doors.
By Justice Shafeyei M. Shah – December 1997
I joined the Committee in charge of the Home in the 1960’s. Rev. Dr. J.C. Mac Donald was the Chairman and my father, M.H. Shah a Muslim, was its Hon. Secretary. Today, the Home is situated on a busy thoroughfare place on the periphery of the town. The only people who went past it did so to catch or pick “dongs.” Mr. Sinanan was the caretaker and he lived in one room in the premises.
GOODBYE TO MY HOME
I “inherited” the Home in 1966 when my husband who was the Hon. Secretary of the Home passed on to serve his constituents as the Honourable Member for Tabaquite in the House of Representatives and I “took over” from him the post of Hon. Secretary. Forty-one years of unbroken service is a long time and so I claim the title “My Home”.
Message by Carl Mohan
I have been a Member of the Board of Management for well over 25 years, having been persuaded to become one by Mrs. Hannah Bhoopsingh, our oldest serving member and daughter of the Home’s first Superintendent, Mr. Jonathan Sinanan.
It has always been a pleasure for me to be given the opportunity to serve on the Board of Management of the J.C. Mac Donald Home for the Aged. When I joined the management team some ten years ago, I had decided to serve for a few years and then take my exit; but as the years went by I realized that my involvement in this sort of activity is perhaps the best thing in my life I was ever involved in.