Guyanese families seeking care for their elderly loved ones now have more options with the opening of the Demerara Paradise Inc’s Nursing Home and Medical Services Facility.
The facility, located at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, was officially opened by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo yesterday.
Speaking at the opening, Junior Public Health Minister Dr Karen Cummings noted that it was rare for persons to be asked to commission a vision which was “tangibly and consciously designed to benefit society.”
Cummings said Guyana’s ageing population and the associated rise in chronic conditions means that “home health care is becoming increasingly complex and challenging to manage.” She explained that for several credible reasons, many are moving farther away from home health care, thereby “creating a growing demand for facilities that provide professional, dignified and affordable health care for geriatrics.”
It is this demand which Demerara Paradise Inc wishes to fill. Director of the facility Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan noted the ageing populations in developing countries and said the statistics make it opportune to invest in the future and well-being of the elderly. He said the new facility was designed to be part of the care process by offering a medically-supervised luxurious, safe and caring place for those who can no longer care for themselves independently.
One of the biggest decisions faced by individuals, Bridgemohan explained, is to “determine how to provide care for their elder loved ones when they are no longer able to care for themselves or when they have been diagnosed with an end-of-life illness. This facility offers an option for quality health care and support for families trying to cope with elder care because our elders truly deserve it.”
The five-building complex, which offers a variety of professional elderly care options, has the capacity to house 84 clients under three different housing options, including 10 open cubicles, each of which houses five patients. Other options available are seven semi-private rooms, which house two clients each and 22 private rooms. The cost for accommodation ranges from US$600 a month for open accommodation to US$1,500 a month for a private room. Day care and limited housing options are also available.
Bridgemohan told Stabroek News that he believes his institution has an advantage in the provision of elderly care in Guyana since it is offering “safe, clean and secure services with assisted living.”
Some of the features of the facility include round-the-clock medical care supervised by the seven registered nurses on staff and their nursing assistants. There are also options for physiotherapy.
Most notable, however, is the psychiatric support being offered by Dr Jorge Balsieiro, who will be providing weekly psychiatric evaluations for patients. Balsieiro will also be supervising several therapy groups for sections of the patient population, such as those who are suffering from chronic illnesses. These groups will offer the option of mental health support for persons who are often vulnerable to depression and other mental health issues.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Social Protection, Ministerial Advisor John Adams noted that it was both important and timely that the home was opened as the month of the elderly is being celebrated. He advised the Board of Directors that it was up to them “to sell the institution and provide only the best care.”
His advice was very similar to that of Nagamootoo, who told that directors that such an ambitious project will depend not just on their leadership but also on the resources they have, including their connections especially with members of the Guyanese Diaspora, who might be most in need of these services.
“Government and states are not able to do everything for our senior citizens,” Nagamootoo said, while adding that for many years there has been a political battle over the pension provided to senior citizens. “…This country needs to pay more attention to its ageing citizens, not just to give them the small stipend. Even if increased incrementally, it will never be enough. You depend on creating institutions, such as this, where you can have facilities provided so that Guyanese who need this care have a place where they can have care, love and medication,” he added, while calling the facility a “giant step forward,” particularly for those Guyanese worried about their parents who have medical issues.
Speaking about plans to secure clients in a culture which frowns on those who choose to put their loved ones in a home, Bridgemohan said, “This is holistic care that is less expensive than you would find in other countries. With home care, you may have a nurse who visits or who works day and night shifts but it is not ’round the clock care supported by other medical services. Demerara Paradise offers holistic care in one centre and provides your loved one with the additional benefits of companionship from their age group, people they can relate to. When you sum it up, the cost of home care is more than that offered by our facility.”
Bridgemohan further noted that his institution will offer options for overseas Guyanese who are currently paying US$3,000 to US$5,000 to have their parents cared for in nursing homes. They now have the option for them to be housed at Demerara Paradise Inc, “where it is cheaper and where family and friends can visit them, plus they are at home in their own tropical climate.”
A partnership with COPA airlines facilitates the travel and care of overseas clients as those registered with the facility may be eligible for priority flights on COPA. Priority flights are also offered for family visits and the institution has preference for flights in and out of Guyana for specialised treatment of patients.
Those who wish to register for care at the facility are screened by the directors. This screening includes a free medical examination, which is used to adequately guide treatment.
All laboratory tests will be conducted by Eureka Labs, which has partnered with the facility.
