| Anguilla’s Minister of Social Development, Edison Baird, has made the point that active and healthy ageing is a key element for the social and economic development of Anguilla and Anguillians. |
He was at the time delivering the keynote address at the launch of a two-day Active and Healthy Ageing Workshop by his Ministry at the Soroptimist Conference Centre on Tuesday, October 25. Mr. Baird observed, from past censuses in Anguilla, that not only were people living longer, but they were also living healthier thus being able to contribute many more years to society through active healthy ageing.
“Active and Healthy Ageing is key to our social safety net response,” he went on. “The healthier older persons are the less resources will be used by the largest segment of the population. It follows that our labour force and economy will be hard pressed to support older persons who represent the largest segment of the population. They are retired, have less taxable income and have more entitlements and benefits to be paid by a workforce which will be a disproportionate grouping. How can this be sustained? Active and Healthy Ageing is the answer.
“The first step is to engage with retirees, men, women, young adults and children and campaign for them to plan their income security for retirement; to eat healthy, reduce salt and sugar intake; drink plenty water; exercise, rest for enough hours a day and do the best they can for their bodies from an early age so as to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases. These can cause co-morbidities that put constant strain on health care resources.”
Mr. Baird was happy that his Ministry has had multi-sectoral consultation with older persons and professionals, from various sectors, on the completion of a National Policy for Older Persons which was endorsed by the Executive Council in 2009. He also said that the National Policy on Residential Care Facilities for Older Persons, the Guidelines for Standards and Regulations, and the Charter of Residents Rights and Responsibilities, were draft documents for consideration by Executive Council. The Minister stressed that the National Health Fund, when introduced, would be of great benefit to older persons on fixed incomes. He stated that they would be in a better position to access and afford thecare they needed at primary health care level so that illnesses would not result in more expensive secondary and tertiary health care levels. He added that the next step would be to improve the island’s legal systems by enacting legislation to protect Older Persons and their care providers and to offer legal advocacy to Older Persons. Deputy Commissioner in the Department of Social Development, Daphne Hodge, said there were several factors in Anguilla impacting the care of the elderly: chronic diseases, family migration, loneliness, longevity and exploitation. She listed a number of areas in which the Department of Social Development had undertaken to play an integral role in meeting the needs of the elderly. Mrs. Hodge mentioned, for example, that in 2010 there were 247 medical exemptions. In 2009 there were 229 recipients of medical assistance the cost of which amounted to $1,871,144.46 for card holders; and for non-card holders, $110,203.20. She said that currently there were several options available to provide care for the elderly in their homes or through full-time day care services at the four elderly home institutions. Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Health Services Quality Management, Serene Carter-Davis, said that preparation for the workshop started when information had been received from the Pan American Health Organisation that it would assist with its delivery. She expressed the Ministry’s thanks to PAHO and all others for their involvement. Others who participated in the launching of the workshop included Social Development Planner, KiehsaGumbs-Bibby, who chaired the opening ceremony and Patricia Adams, who delivered an appropriate poem relating to care for the elderly. |
