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Barbados has taken a significant step forward in its social care system with the groundbreaking of the Residential and Respite Facility for the Elderly, a project hailed as a transformative milestone by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey. The ceremony, held at Sterling House in St Philip, marked the beginning of a visionary initiative aimed at redefining care for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and children. Humphrey described the project as “transformation in progress,” emphasizing its role as a model for inclusive care in Barbados. The facility, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, the National Assistance Board, the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association, and Soroptimist International of Barbados, will provide residential and daycare services tailored to seniors, including those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike traditional institutions, the Sterling complex will feature community-style residences designed to foster dignity, care, and a sense of belonging. Phase one involves renovating the existing building to establish a daycare and respite center, with future plans including a dementia complex, residential spaces for individuals with disabilities, and daycare for children. Humphrey highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for interaction across generations to reduce societal divides. Kaila Branch of the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association underscored the urgent need for elder and dementia care, pledging ongoing support to train caregivers and combat stigma. The government plans to replicate the Sterling model island-wide, with similar facilities planned for St Thomas and St George. Humphrey also called for stronger family ties, expressing concern over the growing estrangement of elderly individuals from their families. He credited former minister Cynthia Forde and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley for their pivotal roles in advancing the project. Forde, now Special Advisor on Elder Affairs, praised the facility as a testament to inclusive care, ensuring meaningful integration for all vulnerable groups.

As Barbados prepares to embark on a transformative $160 million water infrastructure upgrade, authorities are emphasizing the importance of safeguarding residents and the environment during the construction phase. At a recent public stakeholder engagement session held at Lester Vaughan School, the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) presented a detailed Strategic Environmental and Social Management Plan (SESMP). This plan includes 18 targeted programs addressing occupational health and safety, road safety, traffic management, air quality, noise control, and compliance monitoring. Federico Scodelaro of the IDB explained that the SESMP aims to conduct a thorough evaluation of environmental and social impacts, establish effective mitigation strategies, and implement robust management procedures to minimize risks throughout the project’s lifecycle, from construction to eventual closure. Key risks identified include occupational accidents, dust and noise pollution, and potential disruptions to roads and small businesses, particularly in high-traffic areas. However, Scodelaro also highlighted the project’s positive outcomes, such as job creation, enhanced water supply reliability, and improved groundwater conservation. To ensure accountability, a three-tier grievance redress mechanism has been established, prioritizing urgent safety concerns for swift resolution. The infrastructure program is divided into four components: $100 million for replacing 100 km of deteriorated water mains, $50 million for leak detection and network optimization, $6 million for enhancing BWA’s technical capacity, and $4 million for staffing and monitoring. BWA Project Manager Shelley Parris underscored the project’s focus on improving service delivery, climate resilience, and environmental management. While acknowledging the challenges of funding and the scale of the work required, Parris expressed confidence in the BWA’s ability to manage the project effectively, citing past experiences with similar initiatives. The SESMP document is accessible online and at various public locations across Barbados.

Barbados is on the verge of enacting groundbreaking legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of its elderly population. Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, announced on Wednesday that the Rights of Older Persons Bill is in its final drafting phase and could be presented to Parliament by the end of the month. Humphrey made the revelation during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new Residential and Respite facility in Sterling, St Philip. He emphasized that the bill represents the final piece in a comprehensive series of social policy reforms, following the recent passage of the Child Protection Bill, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, and the Social Empowerment Agency Bill. Humphrey highlighted the urgent need for the legislation, pointing out that Barbados is nearing the threshold of becoming a super-aged society, with 20% of its population aged 65 and over. He warned that the declining birth rate exacerbates the challenge of supporting an ageing population, stressing the shared responsibility of families, communities, and the state in caring for the elderly. The minister described the bill as both long overdue and transformative, urging the nation to view the ageing population as an opportunity to build a more inclusive and dignified society. ‘When we do this, then we will build a much better Barbados,’ he concluded.