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If the Ministry of Social Care has its way, every aging person in Barbados will do so actively and healthily.

This was the sentiment expressed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Care, Janet Phillips who was speaking about a health extravaganza, the latest initiative coming out of that Ministry to address maintaining a healthy lifestyle as persons age.

The extravaganza comes off this Friday, January 12, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre beginning at 10:00 a.m. Persons who are 65 years or older as well as persons who may just have an interest in health are welcome to attend this free event.

Administrative Officer in the Ministry of Social Care, Sherland Turton, explained that the extravaganza was specifically targeted toward persons aged 65 years and over and all activities have been planned to draw attention to the main challenges experienced by persons within this demographic.

Planned activities include line dancing, exercise, lectures on the benefits of exercise, the importance of the proper use of medication, how to prepare healthy and nutritious meals on a budget, and foot and dental care for the elderly.

Mrs. Turton, who has responsibility for coordinating this activity, explained that part of the Ministry’s mandate was to provide active aging policies. She said that it was recognised that there is a high incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and according to her “as people age you would see that it is accelerated and also coming on at an earlier age, not only NCDs but also an increase in Alzheimer’s and other diseases.”

paula.harper-grant@barbados.gov.bb

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