The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, through its Bureau of Health Education and Elderly Affairs Units, in partnership with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF), has launched a structured Seniors Exercise Programme aimed at promoting physical activity, health, and wellness among older adults in Saint Lucia.
This new initiative is designed to meet the specific needs of elderly individuals through low-impact, safe, and effective exercises that improve flexibility, balance, strength, and cardiovascular health. The programme also seeks to foster mental well-being and community participation, recognising the importance of social interaction in healthy ageing.
As part of the pilot phase, the Ministry has selected several homes for the elderly island-wide to participate in the programme. This phased rollout allows health officials to closely monitor implementation, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments to ensure the programme’s success before considering a broader national expansion.
Naomi Grandison, Family Life Educator at the Bureau of Health Education, emphasised the importance of gentle movement for seniors. “So today we had a low-impact exercise. These exercises are to help with our overall health. So, for example, we did hand exercises, we did neck exercises, we did leg exercises, and these exercises helped to keep the joints moving, to keep the muscles strong, to keep the bones strong. And we don’t have to do it fast. We just need to move every day to help reduce our chances of chronic diseases, help reduce our chances of feeling stiff in the morning and just to be more comfortable in our skin. So, these are just some of the benefits of low-impact exercise in helping us with our overall health,” she noted.
In addition to the movement routines, the programme incorporates educational talks to raise awareness of the role of physical activity in preventing disease and promoting mobility.
“We had a short talk, and we just explained to the residents here about the importance of movement why it’s important to move, why it’s important to do the low-impact exercises and how they help with your flexibility and cardio health. We wanted to make sure they understand that even doing a little bit every day can go a long way in keeping them active and strong,” Grandison said.
Staff and residents participating in homes welcomed the programme with enthusiasm. Elizabeth Stephen, Assistant Manager at the Cornerstone Humanitarian Society, praised both the content and the impact of the exercise session. “The programme was very interesting and very much needed. The residents really enjoyed it. You could see the smiles on their faces, and they were very involved and interested in doing the exercise. I think it’s a great initiative, and I hope it continues in other homes too.”
The Elderly Affairs Unit was instrumental in identifying suitable locations for the pilot. Andrea Alcide, Programme Development Officer, highlighted the strategic selection of participating homes. “We brought it up to various homes, and from there we selected homes that were ready and excited to participate in the pilot phase. We’re really hoping that based on the response, more homes will come onboard to join the exercise scheme so we can reach more seniors across the Island,” Alcide said.
The initiative contributes, not only, to national efforts for healthy ageing but also supports Saint Lucia’s broader commitment to preventive healthcare. By encouraging seniors to stay active, the Ministry, together with its partners, continues to invest in the longevity and quality of life of Saint Lucians.