Turks and Caicos Islands, July 29 – August 3 - The Ministry of Health and Human Services, through its Aged Care and Rehabilitation Services, conducted a series of events aimed at promoting healthy aging in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). These activities, held from July 29 to August 3, marked significant steps towards the development of a National Policy on Healthy Aging and the official launch of the Decade of Healthy Aging in TCI.
The Senior Retreat, which commenced on July 29, brought together older adults from Grand Turk for a week of engaging activities designed to foster well-being and community. The retreat was organized by the Aged Care and Rehabilitation Services, with participation from PAHO’s Dr. Eldona Boisson, PAHO/WHO representative for the Bahamas office and PAHO’s Regional Advisor on Healthy Aging, Dr. Patricia Morsch.
A critical highlight of the retreat was the stakeholder consultative meeting held on August 2 which was pivotal in informing the development of a National Policy on Healthy Aging for TCI. The morning session featured presentations by Social Services and Aged Care and Rehabilitation personnel, outlining the existing benefits, services, and strategies available to older adults in TCI. Dr. Morsch contributed to the discourse by presenting frameworks for healthy aging, emphasizing the goals of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging as a guiding tool for national policy development.
The retreat concluded on the evening of August 3 with an event, where the Decade of Healthy Aging in TCI was officially launched by the Minister of Health of Health and Human Services, Hon. Shaun Malcolm. As part of the celebration, Dr. Patricia Morsch delivered a presentation titled "Vitality through the Ages,," where she stated “All people have the right to thrive at any age, adding dignity and well-being to years. The United Nations Decade of Healthy Aging provides us with a roadmap to make this vision a reality and to achieve healthy aging, and older people must be at the center of every action and decision made, as no one knows better than themselves do what they want, need, and how they can contribute to making this happen.”
The events of this week underscore the commitment of the Ministry of Health and Human Services to fostering a supportive environment for healthy aging in TCI. PAHO remains dedicated to supporting these efforts and advancing the health and well-being of older adults throughout the region.
