With the theme of ‘Setting up a healthy ageing task force for Mauritius’ we were delighted to partner with Le Groupement FIAPA (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Personnes Agées), to organise an exciting joint International Forum, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity.
Our delegation attending and presenting at the events held 1-7 October 2022, were:
- Andrew Larpent OBE – CommonAge Chair (UK)
- Mansur Dalal – CommonAge Vice Chair (India)
- Datin Jacqueline Wong – Board member and Director (Brunei/Malaysia)
- Dan Levitt – Director (Canada)
- David Stevens – CommonAge Partner, MD Standards Wise International (Australia)
Download the full report here.
1 October 2022: Celebrating International Day of Older Persons
Andrew Larpent attended the National Celebration of the International Day of Older Persons 2022 at the Trianon Convention Centre.
The theme of the event was “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World”. It was an impressive celebration with thousands of older citizens and their supporters from across the country attending.
Showcasing the cultural and generational integration of Mauritian society, and the natural respect for elders that is strongly upheld within the population, the event included music, dance and speeches from the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity.
3 October 2022: Joint CommonAge and FIAPA International Forum
Held at the Lady Sushil Ramgoolam Recreation Centre in Pointe aux Piments.
Opened by the Prime Minister and supported by the Vice President of the Republic, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity and the French Ambassador, this was a a full day of presentations and workshops.
In his opening address, Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth announced the Government will soon come up with a National Action Plan on Integrated Care for Older People.
“Our country is classified as the oldest country in Africa in terms of the age of its population and by implementing the Integrated Care for Older People Action Plan, Mauritius could become a benchmark for other African countries.
Read announcement in full here, and watch it here.
The programme for the day was as follows:
- Geriatrics and gerontology according to the FIAPA group – Presentation of the 2 charters on the rights and well-being of the elderly 2014
Dr Pascale Dinan, General practitioner / Geriatrician, Nouvelle Clinique du Bon Pasteur
- Active ageing
Dr Soopal-Lutchmun Director, Medical Unit MSS / Mr Andrew Larpent, Founding and Dirctor, CommonAge Chair
- Raising the bar on senior care and living standards
Mr David Stevens, Founder and Managing Director Standards Wise International / Mr Mansur Dalal CommonAge Vice Chair and Founder and chairman, Association of Senior Living India (ASLI)
- Protection of the elderly and legislation
Mr Vijay Naraidoo, Founder, the Commission for the Rights of Older People of DIS-MOI
- Technology and artificial intelligence for the elderly– mobile application for seniors
Mr Nicolas Tadebois, Operations & New Projects Director, Clinique du Bon Pasteur / Dr Dan Levitt, CommonAge Board member and CEO, Kin Village, Canada
- Dementia
Dr Ameenah Sorefan, President of Association Alzheimer Mauritius / Datum Jacqueline Wong, CommonAge Board member and Honorary Advisor, demensia Brunei.
4 October 2022: Site visits organised by FIAPA
We were delighted to visit and learn from our colleagues at the following care providers:
- Foyer Trochetia – a publicly funded 60 bed care centre for elderly persons with severe disabilities, managed jointly by the Ministry of Social Security and Arya Sabha, Mauritius.
- BPS Residential Care Home, Ave St Louis, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius
- Centre Jean Vaubert de Chantilly – Dementia day care centre and FIAPA HQ
- Les Jardins De Chantenay – private sector assisted living facility. (Les Jardins de Chantenay is an assisted living facility where you can get the daily support you need, while remaining as independent as possible.)
5 October 2022: meetings and presentations
Andrew Larpent OBE and Mansur Dalal had follow up discussions with Minister Daureeawoo and Permanent Secretary Dr Dhanandjay Kawol at the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity.
In the evening, at a meeting held at the Labourdonnais Hotel in Port Louis, Andrew Larpent made a presentation on healthy ageing to 30 health professionals arranged by la Société des Médecins et Dentistes de l’Ecole Francaise (SMEDEF)
6 October 2022
Together with FIAPA, delegates enjoyed a visit to the L’Aventure du Sucre Museum followed by a beach picnic.
7 October 2022 Meeting
Mansur Dalal met with the Vice-President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon.
See more pictures of the event in the dedicated album on our Facebook page.
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