Elderly residents of the Fox Hill Community and the Over-the-Hill Community from Bain and Grants Town and Centreville participated in a day of activities hosted at the Clifton Heritage Park.
On September 28th, 2019, the Ministry of Health, the Healthy Bahamas Coalition, and the Urban Renewal Commission of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, in conjunction with the PAHO Country Office observed Caribbean Wellness Day under the theme "Healthy Aging Starts Now." Elderly residents of the Fox Hill Community and the Over-the-Hill Community from Bain and Grants Town and Centreville participated in a day of activities hosted at the Clifton Heritage Park.
The day commenced with the 30 participants being fed a healthy breakfast followed by a health talk by Dr. Olive Rolle from the Ministry of Health. She presented on the importance of consuming balanced meals consisting of food from the various food groups, the health benefits of micronutrients, and ways to make Bahamian cuisine healthier. Dr. Rolle also presented on changes in metabolism during the aging process and the importance of maintaining physical activity. Physiotherapist, Dr. Surge, demonstrated exercises that can be done at home while in bed or sitting to maintain circulation and physical activity. He encouraged the elderly to maintain their walking habits and made suggestions of practices to improve sleep quality and practices, and to relieve back and neck pain. The day ended with a walking tour of ancient slave ruins at the Clifton Heritage Park and where they learned the history of the settlement of ancient peoples on the grounds. Upon departure, participants were given healthy lunches.
Overall, the day of activities was successful, and participants were highly engaged in discussions and the learning experience as they learned how to age healthily.
