Arrowlynk Ventures in partnership with DevSolutions Consulting, AltCatalyst, are undertaking an effort to better understand the lived experiences and unmet needs of adults aged 60 and above across the Caribbean. In this regard, a series of focus groups with older adults are being held in a number of countries in the region, Belize, Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, in May. Discussions will also include administering a survey, where focus group participants will be invited to highlight the challenges they consider most urgent. These might include limited access to employment opportunities, financial insecurity, inadequate healthcare and wellness services, social isolation and loneliness, and gaps in digital literacy. Collectively, these challenges point to structural deficiencies that Caribbean societies must address as their populations continue to age.
Additionally, the survey explores perceptions of entrepreneurship as a viable pathway to financial independence for older adults as well as the role of the private sector in co-creating inclusive and sustainable solutions. It is also meant to capture perspectives on the types of government support most needed, including affordable housing, expanded health insurance coverage, and other social protection measures for older adults and their caregivers.
The insights generated through this survey will directly inform the design of a forthcoming Silver Economy Conference to be held in the Caribbean later this year. They will also guide the development of projects emerging from conference discussions and stakeholder engagement. Such projects will be positioned to attract support from strategic partners, including the Inter-American Development Bank under its Silver Economy Initiative. Ultimately, this effort seeks to reframe the Caribbean’s aging demographic from being perceived as a social burden to being recognized as a powerful driver of inclusive economic growth and innovation.
The focus group for Belize, Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados is scheduled for Friday, May 13th, from 1pm -2:30 pm.
If you are interested in participating in the focus group, please RSVP by Friday, May 9th, at contact@arrowlynk.com. Your insights will be greatly appreciated.
