Caregivers across the island are easing the stress associated with looking after a senior, and taking better care of themselves, with the help of a series of seminars being held as part of Older Persons Month activities.
The October seminars were organised by the Department of Children and Family Services and the Older Persons Month committee, in partnership with Health City Cayman Islands.
“This is beneficial to all the caregivers throughout the Cayman Islands who are more qualified and more able to care of our senior citizens, who deserve the best care during the developmental stage of ageing, with any medical conditions they have,” Delmira Kirchman- Bodden, East End community development officer, told the Compass at the East End/North Side seminar, held at the East End Civic Centre on Wednesday, 18 Oct.
Dr. Sunku Guptha, consultant physician and specialist in medicine for older people at Health City, gave a presentation on the risk of cancer increasing with age, and said the number of older people living with cancer is projected to triple by 2030.
His presentation also covered aspects to caring for older adults with cancer such as proper diet and nutrition; regular exercise which prevents certain cancers, promotes cancer survival, and improves quality of life; ways to improve hypotension or low blood pressure; and the risk, signs and symptoms of infection in cancer.
Caregivers were encouraged to focus on their own health and well-being, to speak up when they’re not well or take a break when needed.
“In the field of helping people, it’s always great to continue with your education because things are ever-changing, so the more that you can learn, the easier it is for you to be successful in caring [for] and helping others,” said Calvin Duncan, youth social worker and chairman for Older Persons Month.
The East End/North Side seminar was one of three such meetings held. “To be honest with you, I’ve even heard a lot of information that is helpful to me. I’m not a caregiver, just me as a regular person, so I do feel it’s great information for all people,” Duncan said at that meeting.
He added, “It is a beneficial event for the caregivers of the Cayman Islands to ensure that everyone [gains] the knowledge that Dr. Gupta is providing us.”
Kirchman-Bodden emphasised all the seminars were provided for free. “We recognise that sometimes the barriers that exist for people to further their education or to become more qualified in their profession… especially one that is a caregiver… [keep] them from pursuing it because of cost, so we ensure that it is free.”
She added that a lot of seniors are living on minimum pension “and any services that we can supplement to ensure that they get the best quality of life and the best care, we’re going to do as community development officers, social workers.”
She said “Older Persons Month is not only a reflection of their contribution, but also [looks] at the social problems or issues they’re encountering, and [looks] at the developmental stages of ageing holistically, and cater those services to support them during this, in any way that we can.”
For more information on Older Persons Month, which is themed ‘Aging Your Way’, contact DCFS on 949-0290 (Grand Cayman) or 948-2331 (Cayman Brac).
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