17% of Jamaica population will be senior citizens by 2025

That’s approximately 400,000 Jamaicans, with the numbers to rise even more in the next couple of decades. It’s a growing concern for the nation’s aging population and that of the world, contends says the health ministry’s CMO Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie

“The World Health Organization estimates that by 2030, 1.4 billion people will reach the age of 60 and over and by 2050, this figure will stand at 2.1 billion,” she said in an article published by state media JIS.

“Local data show that some 12 per cent of the population are older than 60 years and the proportion of people in that age group is projected to increase to 16.8 per cent by 2025. This is roughly about 400,000 persons and expected to grow.”

At an event to mark Senior Citizen month, celebrated annually September, Dr Bisasor-McKenzie says crucial steps are being taken to meet the demands of an aging population.

“The Ministry is introducing the life stage approach to health promotion and prevention this year, where targeted healthcare messages are delivered at the doctor’s visit appropriate to the life stage,” she said.

The elderly represents one of the most vulnerable groups in societies, thus placing greater demands and need for more resources.

Experts have long pointed to longer life expectancy and declining birth rates as the main factors behind the rise in elderly population across the globe.

Therefore, Jamaica isn’t in a unique situation. However, just like some of the world’s leading elderly populations, Jamaica must quickly look at the economic and social impact of this trend which most likely will result in labour shortages, increase demand for healthcare services, and retirement benefits.

Social security laws such as pension schemes will have to be amended to mitigate the challenges anticipated, as well as a remodeling of the nation’s healthcare benefits to address the increase in chronic conditions and age-related health issues.

While these are being discussed at the policy level, a public education campaign is vital, said the CMO.

“The fact is that our population are visiting our facilities and we are seeing them for the rash and for the pain in the back and for whatever disease or symptom they present with, but we are not seeing the person and so the Ministry of Health is moving away from a disease-centred care to a patient-centred care, where we are focusing targeted interventions that are appropriate for the life stage,” she said.

“So, for the elderly patients that visit our health centres we are promoting that the key screening that needs to be done for them is discussed with them, so that they are aware.”