EDITORIAL - Caring for our elderly
Barbados needs more senior schools and day care centres, which can benefit the elderly.
Already in operation, with some measure of success, is the Unique Helping Hands Senior School, which according to reports is fast becoming the first place of choice for educational, emotional and social stimulation for the older adult in Barbados. Since its establishment in January 2013, the school has flourished, as many retired and independent elderly persons seek out the school to enhance their days and better spend their “golden years”, rather than simply opting to stay at home.
There are a few adult day care centres on island that do provide senior citizens with supervision and care in a structured environment during daytime hours, allowing their primary caregivers to work or take a break from their caregiving responsibilities. But we could certainly do with some more of these, along with schools for seniors. Maybe, going forward, we can see greater focus being placed on having more day care centres for the elderly, just as we have had great emphasis placed on providing more early childhood centres for our young populace. Given that we are a rapidly ageing society and the fact that Barbados ranks with Japan on the world stage, in the list of countries with the most centenarians per capita, we must begin to put systems in place that can benefit our elderly citizens and ensure their golden years are just that-golden.
The Barbados Alzheimer’s Association has been placed on record as voicing its plans to have a specialised day care centre that would treat to persons battling dementia, in particular Alzheimer's disease, and this is noteworthy as well. Though the Association is still struggling to raise the funds necessary to establish such a facility, they should not give up on this dream as numerous families stand to benefit, given the rapidly ageing population in Barbados and the increasing number of senior folk being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on a whole.
Elderly day care centres or senior schools can certainly provide seniors with valuable opportunities for socialisation, recreation and engagement in a safe environment. Once offered at an affordable price, there are a great alternative to placing ageing loved ones in assisted living or other long-term care facilities.
Although services may vary, adult day care centres and senior schools typically provide meals, recreational activities, general health-related services and in some cases, transportation to and from the centre, and each participant will likely be able to select which activities and services they would like to enjoy, depending on their interests. This is a plus as well, as the elderly would have an outlet to keep their minds stimulated and activities as well, to keep both mind and body healthy. These centres and schools for seniors can get creative with the activities and celebrations and as such, adult day care does not have to be boring or restrictive for seniors, but rather, they can become “a whole new experience” for them.
Perhaps, by placing greater focusing on the establishment of centres and schools for senior citizens, the issue of abandonment of the elderly would be less of a talking point. As an ageing society, the time has come for us to better develop our care and support services, so we can better take care of and appreciate our senior folk.