Government’s National Assistance Board is working towards improving the delivery of its service to the elderly across Barbados. To this end, it has sought to provide training opportunities for 110 employees in a number of areas over the last eight months.

Of that total, 17 persons completed the Care of the Older Adult six-month programme conducted by the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic. They were tutored in Understanding the Ageing Population, Nutritional Factors/Diet Therapy, Home Health Care, Body Systems/Age Related Changes or Disorders, Rehabilitative Measures and Geriatric Issues.

Another 37 employees participated in an Effective Communication course, which is geared towards helping them to communicate well with the persons in their care and other persons with whom they come into contact.

A total of 42 employees enrolled in the Preparing for Retirement course, which provided them with the necessary knowledge to plan for their retirement as well as to assist other elderly persons.

Fourteen staff members had three-month placements at the Geriatric and Psychiatric Hospitals, institutions which cater to many elderly patients. They were able to get a first-hand look and understanding of how to care and treat the elderly in such institutions, so as to enhance their own practice.

This Saturday, August 16, these employees will be rewarded for their efforts to improve their delivery of service, when they are presented with certificates of participation and completion in a formal graduation ceremony at the Solidarity House, Harmony Hall, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Care, Patrick Todd, will deliver the feature address at this ceremony. (EM)

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