“We’re Still Here”: Seniors Come Together to Talk Healthy Ageing

Ageing isn’t just a distant future. For many Belizeans, it’s happening right now. Today, older people from across the country came together to celebrate their health, share their concerns, and learn how to age well.

Hosted by the Ministry of Health & Wellness, the Healthy Ageing and Nutrition Symposium focused on giving seniors practical tools to care for themselves. Health professionals, government leaders, and community partners joined forces to make sure older people had access to the support and information they need.

Ix-Chel Poot, Executive Director of the National Council on Ageing, said: “So, our older population still makes up less than ten percent of our overall population, which means that they do run a very high risk of being invisible in their communities. So, events like this which brings together older persons from across the country, specifically leaders in their own older persons’ organisations and networks, but it also helps them to voice concerns and questions about the things that are impacting them in their community.”

The event welcomed people aged 60 and older, with some in their 80s. Health experts spoke about the changes that come with ageing and shared advice on staying healthy. “They’ve had a medical doctor speak to them about the biological changes, things that they might not take into consideration… as they’re ageing,” Poot added.