Members of the public will have the opportunity to share their views on ageing and elder affairs, during a national consultation on Friday, October 30. Interested persons are invited to join via Facebook.
The Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, with technical cooperation from the Pan American Health Organization Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean countries, will host the consultation entitled A Conversation on Ageing and Elder Affairs: Forming the Narrative, starting at 9:00 a.m.
The consultation forms part of the process of developing a new national policy, and strategic and action plans on ageing and the elderly in Barbados. The online event comprises a one-day session, inclusive of workshop-type exercises.
The objectives are to review the current policy with the aim of developing a new framework for ageing and the elderly in Barbados, and to inform participants of the achievements and challenges regarding their wellbeing.
It will also allow participants to share their experiences and recommendations regarding the provision of services to the elderly and seek to foster buy-in, while engaging stakeholders in the process of developing and implementing the new national policy.
According to Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Cynthia Forde: “This national conversation is long overdue. As our society continues to age rapidly, the Government of Barbados has to pay attention to the many implications of ageing.
These must include the economic, social, and health consequences as well as the general well-being of older persons and their families.”
In addition to members of the public, participants will be drawn from a diversity of sectors that focus on elderly care and services.
These will include the health sector; faith-based organisations; insurance agencies; private sector organisations; community based organisations, the Barbados Association of Retired Persons; operators in the delivery of services to the elderly; leaders of other civil society bodies and the Royal Barbados Police Force.
Members of the public may participate via the Barbados Government Information Service’s YouTube Channel thebgis, or by visiting its Facebook Page.