Adina Donovan Home Faces Capacity and Budget
The Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly in Tortola is grappling with nearly full occupancy and a budget that only meets basic needs, according to Health Minister Vincent Wheatley. With 19 of its 20 capacity filled, the facility seeks additional funds to enhance service quality and expand elderly care programmes.
The British Virgin Islands' primary residential care facility for seniors, the Adina Donovan Home for the Elderly located in Tortola, is currently operating at near full capacity with 19 residents occupying its 20 available spaces. This situation is further compounded by a budget that Health Minister Vincent Wheatley describes as sufficient only for 'basic operations.' The pronouncement came during a recent session of the House of Assembly, shedding light on the financial and logistical constraints facing the territory's elder care services.
Minister Wheatley detailed that the budget allocated to the Adina Donovan Home covers essentials such as staff salaries, meals, utilities, and essential medical supplies. However, he acknowledged the need for additional resources to improve the home's staffing levels, infrastructure, and recreational programmes for the residents.
In response to these challenges, Wheatley's ministry is actively seeking increased budgetary allocations and exploring partnerships with the private sector to supplement funding. Beyond the Adina Donovan Home, the BVI's Home Care Service Programme is also under pressure, supporting 30 people, including 27 on Tortola and three on Virgin Gorda, with varying degrees of care.
The programme currently operates with 15 staff members, despite four vacancies. These services are crucial for many families in the territory, as Wheatley pointed out the growing strain of caregiving on families as their elderly loved ones age. To address the broader needs of elder care, the ministry has initiated new programmes, including a Care Certificate Programme in partnership with the UK Health Security Agency and the BVI Health Services Authority, aimed at enhancing the skills of non-regulated care staff.
The first group of participants completed the programme earlier this year, marking a step forward in the territory's commitment to improving elder care. As the BVI continues to grapple with the challenges of caring for an ageing population, Wheatley reassured the House of Assembly of his ministry's dedication to treating seniors with dignity and expanding services to meet their needs.
Among the future plans is the commissioning of a purpose-built facility for seniors and hosting annual forums to address issues facing the elderly community. These efforts underscore the territory's commitment to its 'golden gems,' even as it seeks solutions to the pressing challenges of capacity and funding.
Primary source: BVI News