JAMAICA — Jamaica faces an escalating national caregiving challenge as its elderly demographic expands at an unprecedented rate, compelling urgent action from families, healthcare systems, and government authorities. The gravity of this situation was brought into sharp focus during The Caregiver Masterclass: Empowering Families for Senior Well-Being, an event organized by Golden Designs on November 22 at The Manley Centre in St Andrew.
Dr. Kemisha Shaw-Kelly, Programme Development Officer within the Ministry of Health and Wellness’s Family Health Unit, delivered a compelling keynote address titled ‘Caregiving in an Ageing Population.’ Her presentation revealed startling demographic projections: Jamaica’s population of citizens aged 60 and above is growing at approximately 1.9% annually, with numbers expected to surge from 264,000 in 2001 to an estimated 364,200 by 2030.
‘If current trends persist, by 2058 the elderly population will surpass the youth demographic,’ Dr. Shaw-Kelly warned, highlighting profound implications for healthcare infrastructure, workforce dynamics, economic productivity, and family structures nationwide.
The event highlighted that caregivers—typically unpaid family members providing support to those with illness, injury, or disability—face immense physical, emotional, and financial strain. While caregiving can foster personal growth and strengthen family bonds, it simultaneously carries severe risks including chronic exhaustion, mental health deterioration, financial hardship, and social isolation.
Social Gerontologist Dr. Julian McKoy Davis amplified these concerns, noting the alarming phenomenon where overwhelmed caregivers may ‘die before the care recipient.’ He specifically addressed the ‘Sandwich Generation’—those juggling care for aging parents while supporting children and grandchildren—who face compounded pressures that threaten their wellbeing.
Both experts emphasized critical strategies for caregiver sustainability: meticulous planning, organizational tools for medication management, maintaining social connections, regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and most importantly, scheduled respite breaks. Dr. McKoy Davis particularly advocated for structured respite care services, available through adult day centers or residential facilities, as essential—not luxurious—components of sustainable caregiving.
Government resources including the National Council for Senior Citizens and the Ministry’s Mental Health Hotline were promoted as vital support mechanisms. The masterclass, timed with National Caregivers Awareness Month in November, represents part of Golden Designs’ broader initiative to enhance Jamaica’s aging experience through education, practical tools, and emotional reinforcement for both paid and unpaid caregivers.