Floyd Morris | Dementia, disability and development

Approximately 50 years ago, in the rustic rural community of Bailey’s Vale in St Mary, I was exposed to the frightening challenges of dementia. My grandmother was diagnosed with the disease that would pose major challenges for the family. At the time, my grandmother was the only person in the community with the condition and people would say all manner of things about the burgeoning family crisis.

Fast-forward to 2026 and the situation has changed significantly. Dementia is emerging as a major health and disabling problem in Jamaica, and we must have a public conversation about it. Dementia is a disabling condition (mental) that interferes with daily life functions and skills. It is caused by various diseases damaging brain cells, affecting memory, thinking, language, judgement, and behaviour. The degenerative mental condition generally affects older persons over the age of 60.

Research conducted by Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer and her team has revealed a prevalence rate for dementia of six per cent among our elderly population. Data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica indicates that the population of the elderly is at just over 13 per cent. Projections are that, by 2030, the population of elderly persons should be at approximately 18 per cent.

At the Special Select Committee of the Senate that was established to consider the scope and magnitude of legislation for senior citizens, based on a motion that I tabled and got approved in this legislative chamber, we were told that projections are pointing to our senior citizens’ population moving to approximately 30 per cent by 2050. With these prognostications, the population of Jamaicans with dementia is expected to increase exponentially. This increase has profound implications for future development.

DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES

Recognising that dementia is both a medical and disabling condition, our society must be prepared for further developmental challenges. Government, family members, the Church and the communities across the island, must be mobilised to deal with this pending developmental challenge. The government must enact the necessary legislation, such as those recommended by the Special Select Committee of the Senate that looked at the scope and magnitude of legislation to protect senior citizens. Importantly, the government must lead a massive public education programme to sensitise the nation on issues relating to this health and disabling condition. Such public education programme should be directed towards community members who must interact with family members, caregivers and persons living with dementia.

Additionally, the government must support ongoing research on this health and disabling condition by increasing funding, to formulate appropriate and cutting-edge solutions to deal with the problem. One of the cutting-edge solutions that should be given serious attention is that of tracking devices to help family members monitor the whereabouts of relatives with the health and disabling condition.

Families of persons with dementia undergo major challenges in dealing with their loved ones with the problem. The challenges are not just relating to the huge financial costs to care and treat the family member, they carry a huge psychological burden for the family members as well. I felt it with my grandmother almost 50 years ago. And, most recently, the situation of former Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, who I had the honour of working with, was depressing for me. Jamaicans who follow the politics and knew of the working relationship with me and ‘Sister P’ asked me from time to time of what they heard of this political icon and dementia.

BURDEN

A burden has been lifted off my heart since her husband, Errald Miller, confirmed that she has this health and disabling condition. Neither Sister P nor any other Jamaican went to the shop to buy this disabling condition. Anyone in our country can develop this during the lifecycle (elderly stage). This is why I consistently state that we must respect persons with disabilities because we do not know what can affect us in life, and so it is incumbent for us to create a society that is sensitive to the needs of all.

Thankfully, Sister P devoted her life to champion the cause of the marginalised, including senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Fortuitously, it was she who established the National Insurance Fund (NIF) to invest the contributions of workers for the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). In 1991, she invested the first $1.5 billion in the NIF and, today, this fund has over $250 billion for pensioners. Additionally, it was under her administration that the Disabilities Act was passed in 2014. She has laid the foundation for support for family members and persons living with this health and disabling condition. The current government must expand on these support mechanisms to ease the stress on family members and caregivers of individuals living with dementia.

The church community has a pivotal role in dealing with how we respond to the situation of dementia. The church is a safe space for our senior citizens and, if a member should develop this condition, he or she should be allowed to continue participating in this safe space. Consistent social interaction is very good for slowing down the pace of dementia.

The Church must also play a lead role in educating its members to the fact that developing dementia is not the result of any sin that an individual commits. Such a judgemental and archaic view is dominant among members of the society, especially church members. If this view were correct, then the prevalence rate of dementia would be closer to 90 per cent in Jamaica. So, let us jettison such warped views from the conversation and adopt a more pragmatic view towards individuals experiencing this condition. Dementia, or any other disabling condition, respects no one. None of us is impregnable, and can develop dementia. Let us be a part of the positive development that is needed to address this developmental challenge.

Professor Floyd Morris is the director for the Centre for Disability Studies at UWI Mona. Send feedback to morrisfloyd@gmail.com