More than 300 people took part in an event offering community and government resources
BARRANQUITAS, Puerto Rico
More than 300 people received guidance and resources for caring for relatives during an event held Friday at the Pabellón de las Artes y la Juventud in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico’s Department of Health reported.
Puerto Rico Cuida brought together the department, the Pan American Health Organization and the municipality to connect informal caregivers with community and government services. The guidance was aimed at people caring for relatives with chronic conditions, dementia, intellectual disabilities or functional limitations.
Health Secretary Víctor M. Ramos Otero said caring for others involves significant responsibilities and challenges, and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to providing caregivers with guidance, support and access to resources.
Participants had access to more than 35 outside agencies and organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association of Puerto Rico, the American Red Cross, CareGivers de Puerto Rico, Hospital Menonita, the Cardiovascular Center of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, the Office of the Advocate for Older Adults and the departments of Family Affairs and Housing.
The department presented more than 15 internal resources, including its Alzheimer’s Center, Vaccination Division, Healthy Aging Section, Ryan White Program, Center for Assistance to Victims of Rape and tobacco control, diabetes and asthma units.
According to figures from Puerto Rico’s informal caregiver profile cited by the department, one in seven people identified as a caregiver during the 30 days preceding the study. Four in ten caregivers devote at least 40 hours a week to that work, and more than a third describe their own health as fair or poor.
Ramos Otero said the department would continue developing support initiatives for caregivers and their families across different regions.
For information about available services, contact the Healthy Aging Section at 787-765-2929, extensions 4538 or 4105, or email envejecimiento.saludable@salud.pr.gov.
