Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Review and Evaluation of Progress Towards the Implementation of the Brasilia Declaration in the Caribbean

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee The Caribbean For the purposes hereof, the Caribbean comprises Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, as well as number of associate members of ECLAC and other territories. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 2

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Methodology for review ECLAC commissioned consultants to produce national reports for 11 countries. The government of Trinidad and Tobago produced a national report. Each national report contains an inventory of government actions aimed at older persons and identifies priorities for future action. This subregional review of progress is based on these 12 national reports. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 3

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Progress towards implementation, Action in a wide range of areas in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. Actions in response to approximately half the main recommendations: Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. Fewer actions were reported in Guyana, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 4

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Policy areas where there was most progress Social security Equitable access to health services Promotion of healthy lifestyles Training for health workers Social support and care Support for carers Promoting a positive image of old age 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 5

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Policy areas where there was least progress Human rights protection and elimination of discrimination, abuse, and violence Monitoring of long-stay institutions Access to health care for older persons with disabilities or living with HIV Palliative care Access to credit 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 6

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Economic security Access to decent work: increases to retirement ages in three countries, with increases planned in at least two others. Social security: index linking of benefits (The Bahamas, also Barbados), and new benefits (Antigua and Barbuda, Saint V. & G., Guyana); further improvements needed. Access to credit opportunities: little action except in Trinidad and Tobago. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 7

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Health services Equitable access: Significant extensions to availability of free care and/or medication in The Bahamas, Dominica, and Jamaica. Creation of palliative care services: little action taken. Care of older persons with disabilities or living with HIV: little action focused specifically on older persons. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 8

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Health services Monitoring the health of the older population: Occasional surveys in some countries. Promoting healthy lifestyles: Many good health education and promotion initiatives. Human resource training in Geriatrics and Gerontology: The University of The West Indies provides some training but more is needed. Many countries have training programmes for care workers. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 9

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Care services Monitoring long-stay institutions: Some action in T.&T. and Barbados; a majority of national reports identified this as a future priority. Social support: There is some provision of home care services in all countries except Guyana, Saint Lucia, and Suriname. Support for carers: In over half of reporting countries there are day care centres and/or activity centres for older people. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 10

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Enabling Environments Promoting participation: Innovative schemes in T.&T. and Jamaica; active associations of retired persons in Barbados, Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda; more participation needs to be encouraged in other countries. Accessibility of public space and adaption of housing: Several initiatives in Barbados; smaller scale actions elsewhere; a priority for future action in many countries. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 11

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Enabling Environments Human rights protection and elimination of abuse: Little progress towards legislation on the human rights of older people; a priority for future action. Promoting a positive image of old age: Many countries celebrate International Day of Older Persons (1st October). A range of positive actions by associations of older people, particularly in Barbados and Jamaica. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 12

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Future Priorities for Action Legislation to protect the human rights of older people including protection from discrimination, abuse, and violence Strengthening social security protection for older people including improved pensions and assistance Improved care services: home care services; home nursing; and day care centres. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 13

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Future Priorities for Action Providing older people with choices about their living arrangements: support to continue living in their own homes; assisted living facilities; and long-stay institutions. Providing equitable access to health services for an ageing population including for older persons with disabilities; people living with HIV; and people in need of palliative care. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 14

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Future Priorities for Action Priorities for future action for some countries also included: access to decent work; accessibility of public space; transport for older persons; housing; provision of continuing education. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 15

Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean15th Monitoring Committee Examples of Best Practice The National Prescription Drug Plan, Bahamas Community Nursing Project, Barbados Senior Citizens Parliament, T. & T. Yes We Care, Dominica Older Citizens Monitoring Project, Jamaica Community Technology Project, Barbados Intergenerational Discussions, T. & T. 24 May 2015Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean 16