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GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Tuesday, November 25, 2008 – The nine persons who undertook and successfully completed the Geriatric Aides Course graduated earlier today - at a passing out ceremony that was held under the theme: "The Geriatric Aide: Meeting the Challenges of an Aging Population".
The graduates, Lucinda Brown, Kandia Howell, Lorna Missick, Erica Smith, Petsylee Smith, Denise Williams, Dorine Williams, Marilyn Williams and Moline Wilna - all received their certification of achievement at the New Testament Sunday School Hall in Grand Turk.
These Aides have completed the three month course that included 74 hours of theoretical training that help them to indicate the type of treatment that a patient may need, along with completing over 200 plus hours of clinical practices.
The course, approved by the Ministry of Health and Human Services, saw top two students Lorna Missick and Denise Williams performing exceptionally well in both aspects of the training.
As Geriatric Aides, these newly trained practitioners will perform specific duties in the care of this country's elderly under direct supervision of doctors and nurses. These duties range from hygiene, mental and emotional care, which all nine graduates readily accepting these responsibilities.
According to the data found by Michael Williams, Health Educator and Course Coordinator - statistics show that due to the aging population, a fourth generation has been discovered. This generation derived of persons 75 and above. This fourth generation is directly related to the Caribbean, because there is a high population of elderly people.
The use of Geriatric Aides has become more and more essential noted Mr. Williams, who further assured all that these graduates are up to the task of caring for our nation's elderly.
Hon. Dr. Lillian Boyce, Minister of Health and Human Services, in remarks asked the graduates to: "please take care of our elderly, as they have treasury of knowledge that should be harvested."
Also in attendance were Dr. Rufus Ewing, Director of Health Services; Denise Saunders, Permanent Secretary- Health; Charlene Higgs, Undersecretary- Health; Jackurlyn Sutton, Primary Health Care Manager; and Mary Forbes, Chief Nursing Officer.
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