Humphey tables national policy as country grapples with rapidly ageing population

Minister of Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey has laid the National Policy on Ageing for 2023-2028 before Parliament, emphasising the urgent need to address Barbados’ swiftly ageing population.

Presenting the policy, Humphrey cited World Health Organisation statistics and recent census data, revealing that by 2030, approximately one in six people will be aged 60 or older. The most recent census already shows that one in five Barbadians is over 65, and one in four is over 60.

“At the rate at which we are ageing, Barbadians will become a super-aged society where over 21 per cent is over 65 years old within the next decade,” Humphrey warned from the floor of the House of Assembly. “This must not be a cause for concern, surely, but it must be a call to action.”

The policy aims to “enable and promote healthy and active ageing as a way of life for all Barbadians” and “ensure that the fundamental rights and freedoms of older persons are fully recognised and vigorously defended.” It covers key priority areas including community care, health services, financial security, elder abuse, the built environment, and disaster preparedness.

Humphrey stressed the need for a “whole-of-country approach” to effectively address these issues. He highlighted the importance of enhancing financial literacy among older persons, stating, “We have to have a conversation around whether the resources being made available to older persons are enough to allow them to live a dignified life.”

The St Michael South MP also emphasised the potential of a “silver economy,” where older people are viewed as integral to the overall economy, suggesting the need for increased employment opportunities for seniors.

Healthcare access for older Barbadians was acknowledged as a significant challenge. Humphrey noted that many elderly citizens feel mistreated in medical facilities, emphasising the need to improve relationships between healthcare providers and the elderly.

The minister also addressed the issue of elder abuse, sharing an anecdote about an elderly constituent with dementia who received no help from family or neighbours as her condition deteriorated. “These things are wrong,” he asserted, calling for stronger legislation to protect older persons.

Humphrey assured the Lower Chamber that the policy’s implementation would include specific timelines and checklists to ensure progress, firmly committing that it would not become “a document that sits on the shelf and gathers dust.”

Lending his support for the white paper, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne stressed the importance of teaching citizenship, responsibility, and morality to the younger generation. Thorne, who had earlier spoken with young campers at his constituency office, said: “They must have a sense of citizenship, which involves a sense of belonging.”

The Christ Church South MP acknowledged the technical nature of the policy and expressed appreciation for the minister’s presentation.

“When people occupy office, and they do research, and they put that research together, and it comes to this Parliament in the hands of an eloquent minister, what quarrel is there?” Thorne remarked.