The National Assistance Board’s (NAB) Home Care Programme is to be reviewed, giving consideration to the elderly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
The programme caters to just over 1 000 elderly people in their homes, but with over 3 000 Barbadians suffering with Alzheimer’s disease, Minister Of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development Steve Blackett said an overhaul had become necessary because programmes being offered could not provide the specialized care needed to deal with Alzheimer’s patients.
Addressing participants at a seminar for family care-givers of Alzheimer’s patients at the Savannah Hotel yesterday, Blackett said the “comprehensive review” to be undertaken by the NAB would ultimately result in the development of other initiatives and strategies to enhance the services being offered.
The minister also disclosed that a draft National Policy on Ageing for Barbados contained proposals for increased public awareness, as well as training and care options for Alzheimer’s sufferers.
