Almost two hundred Senior Citizens and Retirees from various organizations across New Providence attended a one-day Healthy Lifestyles Workshop hosted by the Senior Citizens Division, Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development.
The workshop was held at Grace Community Church, Palmetto Village, under the theme: “Transforming for the Journey – 2019 and Beyond: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles.”
Presentations centred on Healthy Lifestyles/Healthy Ageing Tips, facilitated by Dr. Phillip Swann, Chairman of the Healthy Bahamas Coalition and Head of the Ministry of Health’s non-communicable diseases programme that focuses on the strengthening of data collection processes to inform evidence-based decision-making; Proper Money Management Techniques, facilitated by Mr. Alfred Poitier, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cooperative Credit Union Limited; and “Keys to Making a Will,” facilitated by Magistrate Constance Delancy, Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court and Acting Director of Court Services.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, Mr. Michael Foulkes, applauded staff of the Senior Citizen Division for hosting what he called a “timely workshop.” Mr. Foulkes was pinch-hitting for Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell, who is off-island.
“It’s so wonderful to see so many of you taking advantage of this workshop today,” Parliamentary Secretary Foulkes said. “The theme is highly relevant. The three sessions that have been scheduled for today’s workshop will emphasize health and wellness, money management and making a will.
“Good health plays an important role in the quality of life we experience. It is noted that today you will be provided with information on the steps that should be taken to enjoy optimum health. Additionally, practical suggestions will be provided on how to manage your funds – whatever they may be -- for maximum results (and) while we cherish the gift of life, we must think of the inevitable, death, and the subsequent division of our assets.
“It’s not something we like to discuss, but it is something that we must discuss. We would all like for our real and personal property to be divided in accordance with our own instructions. In this regard you will receive valuable information on how to make a will and indeed the importance of having a will,” Mr. Foulkes added.
Parliamentary Foulkes told the attendees that global statistics indicate that persons are living, and will live, longer lives across the globe. The result, is an increases in the global ageing population.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided us with some interesting facts about the ageing of world populations. First of all, the pace of populations is moving faster than in the past. Secondly, people are living longer and by 2050 the WHO estimates that the proportion of the world’s population over the age of 60, will nearly double from 12 per cent to 22 per cent, which equates to almost one in every four persons.
“The WHO further estimates that 80 pet cent of the older persons will be living in low or middle-income countries. These predictions suggest that a demand for initiatives such as today’s workshop will increase in ensuring years and we must prepare accordingly.
“It is my sincere hope that today’s sessions will empower you to not only put the knowledge you would have acquired into practice, but that you also share the information with family members and any others you may come into contact with so that many more persons can benefit from it,” Parliamentary Foulkes added.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, Mr. Michael Foulkes, addressing Seniors and Retirees from organizations throughout New Providence at the Senior Citizens Division, Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development’s one-day Healthy Lifestyles Workshop held at Grace Community Church, Palmetto Village Thursday, February 28. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)
