Mike Williams | Cox News Service
September 16, 2007
HAVANA, Cuba - The ladies at Havana's Siervas de San Jose Home for
ElderlyWomen laugh and chat in the sunny courtyard of the historic
mansion, clappingtheir hands and singing when visitors arrive.
"I like to speak English, but Spanish is sweeter," said Marianne
Blanco,89, a small, sprightly woman with curly white hair and a face
somehow girlishdespite her age.
The residential home for seniors is somewhat rare in Cuba, where
familiestraditionally care for their aging relatives in the home. But
with scarceresources and a growing elderly population, Cuba faces a
challenge in comingyears in caring for its seniors.
Government officials estimate that by 2025, 26 percent of Cuba's
populationwill be 60 or older, making it one of the top countries in the
world forpercentage of elderly population.
"In a few years, it is almost certain that the demand for senior
citizencenters, dining halls, homes and other senior citizen facilities
will exceedthe new factories and schools," Cuba's leading newspaper,
Granma, reportedlast year.
It is a story not unlike those running in the U.S. press, where a
hugegeneration of baby boomers will soon retire, raising concerns about
thesolvency of the Social Security system and how society will provide
for theelderly.
In some ways, the challenge in Cuba is because of the communist
island'sclaims of success in the public-health field. While its per
capita income islow -- salaries hover at about $15 a month -- Cuba has
managed to vault pastother Third World countries by raising the life
expectancy of its citizens to77 years, on a par with the United States
and ranking well among prosperousnations.
Cuban officials point to their public-health system and preventive care
asexplanations, although critics say the island's poor often have
troubleobtaining care and medicines, and the life expectancy figures are
padded by alow birth rate and high level of emigration.
A leader in Cuba's geriatric field is Dr. Eugenio Selman, who in
2003founded the "120 Years Club," claiming that Cubans -- and other
people aroundthe world -- can live to the ripe old age of 120.
"The possibility exists," said Selman, still forceful at 77 and
presidentof the club, which has about 5,000 members in countries around
the world. "Our2002 Census showed Cuba now has over 2,000 people who are
past 100 years old."
Selman advocates a program much like that of other researchers,
insistingthat good diet, motivation, exercise, good health care, culture
and a healthyenvironment are keys to long life.
At the Siervas de San Jose Home, Sister Paquita Pedrido, a Spanish
Catholicnun who runs the facility, says she has been impressed by Cuba's
concern forthe elderly.
"Cubans often live long lives," she said. "We had one grandmother who
livedto 101. I believe it is because they worked hard all their lives
and they havethe support of their families and the community."
The home -- which Pedrido said is aided by funds from the Cuban
government-- has about two dozen full-time elderly residents who no
longer have familiesto take care of them. Another 30 or so women come to
the home each day formeals and activities, then return home to their
families in the evening.
"I believe the health and education systems in Cuba are also factors
inpeople living long lives," Pedrido said. "Families here get lots
ofinformation on preventive care, and they take a great interest in health."
Still, the challenge facing Cuba and its growing population of elderly
issignificant. Retired workers expect support from the state, and as
theirnumbers increase, the burden on the government will grow.
Selman believes the state will meet the challenge of caring for
theelderly, and says his experience in promoting the 120 Years Club
convinces himthere will be a growing global movement, too.
"We announced the formation of our club on a Friday," he said. "On
Mondaymorning, we had 321 e-mails from people wanting to join, from as
far away asNigeria and Japan."
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/health/orl-tvhousing16sep16,0,1201812.story
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