On April 30, three prominent elderly care institutions in Suriname launched a collaborative joint learning program designed exclusively for frontline care professionals working in senior care services. Spearheaded by the leadership team of Prinses Margriet Seniorenresort, the initiative brings together Woonzorg Centrum Wiesje, Bejaardencentrum Majella, and the originating institution itself to pool resources, expand collective expertise, and raise the standard of care for older adults across the region.
The program was developed from a core belief that cross-institutional collaboration and open knowledge sharing are foundational to building a resilient, future-ready elderly care sector. Curated to address the most pressing and relevant challenges facing modern senior care, the opening module of the program focuses specifically on improving quality of life for people living with dementia. This topic was selected as a core pillar of the curriculum, as it demands deepened expertise and practical, actionable tools for frontline care providers to deliver more compassionate, effective support.
Over the coming months, the program will cover a wide range of complementary topics tailored to the specific needs of the three participating institutions, including foundational care skills, disease pathology, patient-provider communication, and ethical decision-making in complex care scenarios. A unique feature of the learning initiative is its rotating venue model: all program sessions will be hosted in turn at each of the three organizations’ facilities. This arrangement gives participating care professionals the chance to observe peer practices firsthand, exchange on-the-ground insights, and learn directly from each other’s established workflows and innovative approaches.
The full program is on track to be completed by the end of 2026. Upon successful completion of all required modules and assessments, participants will receive an official certificate recognizing their commitment to professional development and the new competencies they have gained through the program.
This collaborative initiative marks a meaningful step forward for the professionalization and cross-sector cooperation of elderly care services across Suriname, setting a model for how local care institutions can work together to address shared challenges and improve outcomes for the aging population.