MONTEGO BAY, St James — Members of the senior citizens community across Jamaica have welcomed Friday’s launch of the Ministry of Health and Wellness’s Park Walker Initiative for Older Adults which is aimed at encouraging older individuals to become more physically active and adopt healthier lifestyles.

Westmoreland resident Ida Kamara, who participated in a walking and dancing session during the event held at Harmony Beach Park in St James, wants the ministry to continue pushing for senior engagement. “Get them out, and let them enjoy what life has left for them to do because it’s not the end of the road for them, but when they’re sitting down they will go away — waste away very fast,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Similar sentiments were shared by 62-year-old Manchester resident Walter “Banna” Thompson.

“If you’re in your community and you see an exercise group, try to be a part of it because it’s going to help you physically and it can help you to even live longer because exercise is important,” argued Thompson who is a part of the Comfort Church of God of Prophecy senior citizens group.

He said he never expected so much “excitement and happiness” from Friday’s activity.

The event capped off the ministry’s Move for Health Month activities. As explained by state minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Krystal Lee, the Park Walker Initiative signifies the ministry’s “commitment to address the unique health challenges faced by older adults”.

“We believe in dignified ageing where every individual is respected, supported, and empowered to live fully,” she said at the event.

She assured the large gathering that, unlike the tendency to make older adults feel forgotten, Friday’s “event rewrites that narrative. Today you are coming first”.

She spoke on how that would be achieved and maintained going forward.

“Among the key objectives is to maximise the period in which older persons maintain good health, wellness, and functional independence through the promotion of healthy ageing. Older adults have often been told to slow down… but truthfully, this age cohort must keep moving,” the state minister urged.

She pointed to the immense health benefits of exercise such as walking, which she described as one of the most underrated forms of physical activity.

“In adults, physical activity including walking contributes to the prevention and management of NCDs [noncommunicable diseases] such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, as well as reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety,” explained Lee.

“But beyond the physical benefits, walking offers something even more powerful — that is, connection. For older adults, walking in groups fosters social engagement. It reduces the feeling of loneliness and isolation and strengthens community bonds. It creates a sense of routine, purpose and belonging,” she added.

Lee also reiterated data from the health ministry which indicates that those 60 years and older are the fastest-growing age group in Jamaica. This represents approximately 375,000 individuals, or 14 per cent of the country’s 2.7-million population. This figure is projected to increase to approximately 400,000 by 2030.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr addressed the implications.

“As a Government we have to acknowledge that [fastest-growing age group in the country is 60 and over], and we have. And we are putting in place the infrastructure like this park to allow our older adults to have a space that is safe where you can come, and you can engage, and you can enjoy. And it’s not just the hospitals that we want to look for, or the clinics, or care facilities; it must be that within our communities we have public spaces that present a safe opportunity to exercise, to enjoy, to engage each other. And that’s what’s happening today because healthy ageing is not simply about extending your life expectancy. Healthy ageing is also about the quality of life,” he said.

The minister argued that, too often, this age group can become isolated.

“You feel socially detached. You don’t feel like you felt before. Physical movement declines, your confidence fades, and you say, “Bwoy, I’m old,” he said to participants at Friday’s event.

“You don’t feel like you can get things done but I want to tell you, ‘You can.’ And I want to tell you that, ‘We are here to help you — who feel disconnected — to connect back to the activities, to connect back to the technology.’ And at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, through the NCSC [National Council for Senior Citizens] working, again, with HEART [NSTA Trust], we have our digital literacy programmes that teach our seniors about how to use those devices, how to connect to the Internet, how to protect yourself from the scammers, how to navigate online, how to make sure you can buy what you want to buy for yourself and your grandchildren, how to have fun, how to be active and productive,” added Charles Jr.

The minister also challenged attendees to make new friends.

“You might have come here with a friend whom you’ve known for a long time but you’re not too old to meet someone that is new. And for some of you single ladies who are over 60, there is still hope. I see a few young men, I see a few… I see a few young men walking with you. The ratio is a little bit, you know, we have more women than men, but it just means you have to compete and be strong. Don’t worry yourself,” he joked.

The ceremony was also addressed by regional NCD coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA), Dr Marcia Johnson Campbell, and deputy mayor of Montego Bay, Dwight “Debo” Crawford.

The initiative was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), WRHA, the National Council for Senior Citizens, Jamaica Moves, and Harmony Beach Park.

Senior citizens who participated in a walk around Montego Bay’s Harmony Beach Park make their way to the finish line during Friday’s launch of the health ministry’s Park Walker Initiative for Older Adults. Photos: Anthony Lewis