The Dominica Council on Ageing (DCOA) has officially launched its full slate of activities for the 2026 Month of the Elderly, a month-long initiative designed to honor, celebrate, and elevate the contributions of the island nation’s senior citizens. The program was publicly announced at a formal media launch hosted in the conference room of the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, marking the official kickoff of preparations for the annual observance.
This year’s series of events is organized around the guiding theme “Empowering Elder Voices for an Inclusive Future,” which frames the DCOA’s core goal of centering older community members and keeping them integrated into public life. The month’s activities will open on September 1 with an official radio address that formally inaugurates the 2026 observance. Just one day later, on September 2, a virtual interfaith prayer session will be held for participants to connect virtually, followed by a community barbecue scheduled for September 4 that brings seniors and community members together in a casual, festive setting.
One of the most anticipated highlights of the 2026 calendar is Grandparents Week, which will run from September 9 to September 12, building up to the official celebration of Grandparents Day on September 13. The DCOA has issued a public call for all members of Dominica’s communities to take part in these events, encouraging residents to express their gratitude and appreciation for grandparents and all older residents who have shaped the nation.
Aligning with other cultural observances on the island, the DCOA has partnered with organizers of Kalinago Week to host the popular Senior Lunch Initiative on September 17, which offers an opportunity for intercultural connection and communal engagement for seniors. Additional scheduled events include a 8-day Holistic Health and Wellness Energy radio segment running from September 11 to September 18, a creative Senior Sip and Paint social activity for older participants on September 18, and a community flea market on September 19 where seniors can showcase and sell handmade crafts and homemade goods.
The program continues with two more community-centered events: Senior Sports Day on September 20, which gives active seniors a chance to participate in friendly recreational competition, and Centenarians Day on September 21, a special observance honoring Dominicans who have lived for 100 years or more, celebrating their long lives and accumulated wisdom. After these events, a public Health Fair will open to seniors and the general public on September 26, followed by the annual Walk of Ages community procession on September 27. The full Month of the Elderly program will conclude on October 1, which marks the global observance of International Older Persons Day.
Across all of its 2026 events, the DCOA aims to foster broader public recognition of the vital role older people play in Dominican society, while creating structured opportunities for seniors to stay active, visible, and actively engaged in both national and local community life.