August 22, 2016: The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services participated in a stakeholder consultation hosted by the Town and Country Planning Division of the Ministry of Planning and Development for standardization of codes for Homes for the Elderly. The event took place at the Raddison Hotel, Port of Spain on August 12, 2016.
Among those in attendance at the formal part of Consultation were Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, Natasha Barrow, Joanne Deoraj, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Planning and Development, Mark Cummins Chief Town Planner from Barbados and Dr. Jennifer Rouse, Director, Division of Ageing at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, as well as Home owners and Managers of Homes and Institutions for the elderly.
PS Barrow delivered the feature address on behalf of Minister of Social Development and Family Services, The Honourable Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, who was unable to attend the formal ceremony, but joined the dialogue later on. The PS indicated how pleased the Ministry was to be part of the discussion which sought to develop ‘proper standards of care for the elderly’ in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly, given the absence of an existing policy to regulate issues related to the housing and care of the elderly.
Guest Speaker and Chief Town Planner from Barbados, Mark Cummins shared on Barbados’ perspective with respect to codes and standards for Homes. He indicated that Barbados had to increase the age of retirement from 60 to 65 to 67 years old due to a large aging population. Cummins also advised that the country’s approach towards elderly care, through best practice was governed by a multi-sectoral public agency policy which brought together relevant primary agencies including the Barbados Town and Country Planning Office, Barbados Fire Service, Barbados Building Standards Authority, Ministry of Transport and Works, Barbados Environmental Department and Ministry of Health to service and to meet the needs and care of their clients, focusing on the aging population.
The round table discussion included issues related to:
- Spatial infrastructure, prototype and designs of existing homes for the aged and future homes for the aged.
- Suitable locations of Homes for the elderly
- Environmental factors such as medical waste disposal for Homes for the Elderly
- Overall accommodation, such as room layout and parking facilities
The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services was pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Planning and Development towards this initiative which incorporated international best practices.
Caption: Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ministry of Social Development and Family Services, Natasha Barrow, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning and Development, Joanne Deoraj and Chief Town Planner of Barbados, Mark Cummins.
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For further information please contact:
The Communications Unit
Ministry of Social Development and Family Services
868-623-2608 Ext. 5405/5424/5432