SJPI launches innovative Elder Care Programme to empower caregivers

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing support for the elderly, the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) has officially launched the Care of the Older Adult in the Community course. This significant programme, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, was unveiled at the Lester Vaughan School Auditorium and seeks to empower caregivers dedicated to serving the island’s senior citizens.

At the launch, Member of Parliament Cynthia Forde emphasised the important role of the eldercare companions in society and encouraged attendees to utilise the opportunity to refine their skills.

“The taxpayers’ money is paying you to deliver these services. We expect you to come up to scratch to ensure that our seniors are comfortable in the best way you can do it,” Forde stated passionately.

Forde also articulated the need for caregivers to continue evolving. “We want this section of our society to feel strengthened and know that they are cared for, that we love them, and that we will continue to serve them. I commend you all for accepting this position, but it’s important not to stagnate. You are the first in this programme, and you don’t have to be the last. When you complete your training, there is an extension of your programme that can allow you to be drafted into the same SJPI, where you can pursue an auxiliary nursing course. This is essential if you wish to function in other capacities within the National Assistance Board or if you aspire to become a nurse.”

The programme is set to support an initial cohort of 420 eldercare companions, with plans for expansion to meet the growing demand for eldercare services as Barbados grapples with a rapidly ageing population.

Addressing the audience, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Jehu Wiltshire highlighted the urgent necessity for enhanced caregiver support.

“Currently, approximately 20 per cent of the population is over the age of 60, and by 2050, that figure is expected to rise to over 50 per cent,” Wiltshire warned. “This is a ticking time bomb. If we do not take action now to establish systems to address this issue, we will face significant challenges in this country.”

Wiltshire outlined plans to create daycare and residential facilities for the elderly in every parish, beginning with St Philip.

“We want to ensure that we approach elder care with heart and understanding. These qualities are essential as we move forward in our mission,” he insisted.

Brenda Osbourne, deputy principal of the SJPI, echoed this sentiment, underlining the importance of education for the caregivers.

“Although your classes will be conducted at the Lester Vaughan School, I assure you, you are a student of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology,” she said. “I implore you to foster relationships with each other and share knowledge openly. With a 100 per cent  pass rate, we would all be winners.”

Participants like Joan Brathwaite expressed optimism about the programme, sharing her desire to better care for the elderly community members who benefit from their services.

“I am truly grateful for this opportunity to enhance my skills in caring for our seniors,” Brathwaite noted.

Spanning over 14 weeks, the course is entirely funded by the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs. Designed not only to boost participants’ skills but also to foster a compassionate environment for Barbados’ aging population, this initiative promises to make a lasting impact on the lives of seniors and their caregivers alike.

As the community rallies around this vital cause, the SJPI’s initiative stands as a proactive step towards ensuring that Barbados’ elderly citizens are well cared for and supported in their golden years.

(PR)