An ailing former artist who painted portraits of the National Heroes and is said to be in need of round-the-clock care is to receive government assistance after an appeal over his deteriorating living conditions.
The Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs has stepped in to help Adrian Compton, who lives in squalid conditions in a dilapidated home in Grazettes.
The home of 68 year old Adrian Compton in 2nd Avenue Grazette in a severe state of disrepair. His son Akins says his father has been diagnosed with dementia and his living conditions have deteriorated significantly over the past two years following a car crash. (Photo by: Ricardo Roberts)
The situation came to light following an appeal by his son and sole carer, Akins Seale, who described the hardship of caring for his father.
According to Seale, Compton, 68, has been diagnosed with dementia, and his living conditions have deteriorated significantly over the past two years following a car crash.
He described the toll of managing the household alone: “Right now the house is falling apart. My father’s sick, got dementia.
A damaged ceiling exposes holes in the corrugated metal roof exposing the rafters and potential flooding of the interior of Adrian Compton’s home. (Photo by: Ricardo Roberts)
“And it’s only me. I’m trying to help my father. I try to fix the place, but I can’t fix the place with the condition he’s in. And right now it’s real hard for me.”
Seale said his father had been a self-employed artist who painted for the government, including portraits of national heroes, before a vehicular accident more than five years ago altered his life. The once active artist, according to Seale, has never left home since then. Despite his father’s contributions, the family has struggled in isolation as their home has fallen into disrepair.
Describing the physical and mental demands of round-the-clock care, Seale highlighted his constant fear of accidents and the lack of comprehensive, long-term support.
“He’s not able to take care of himself. You got dementia, so sometimes you forget, go get a rest, you’d be up all through the night through the day, falling on the regular,” Seale said. “If I’m going to work, people call me and tell me he walk away from home, so I can’t even answer that phone either. I gotta watch it; ain’t nobody else. I ain’t got no one to help, nobody.”
A worn, stained mattress sitting the bed Adrian Compton uses to sleep on. (Photo by: Ricardo Roberts)
While his father could manage to eat, his physical weakness meant he needed constant supervision to prevent accidents, he said. Before bringing the matter to public attention, he reached out to authorities, community members and family members but received little more than short-term food vouchers, he added.
“Nobody really comes here and, everyone says they will come back, not realising (the situation) it’s getting worse. Every day it getting worse.”
With mounting pressures and a home in severe disrepair, Seale appealed to the authorities for immediate help.
“I would like the government to help me and help my father,” Seale said. “My father do things for the government too… paint pictures, national heroes.”
When Barbados TODAY contacted People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Minister Adrian Forde, he said he was unaware of Compton’s plight. He later said the ministry would investigate the matter thoroughly and support Compton.
