BAVINA SOOKDEO
It is said that growing old gracefully is a thing of beauty when you have caregivers who love and support you and Dr Lavanyakumari Thondavada is someone who truly understands this.
In October 2023, she founded the Geriatric Society of Trinidad and Tobago (GSTT) with a mission to provide high-quality healthcare for the elderly and promote forward-thinking initiatives to enhance their health, activity, and overall quality of life.
For Thondavada, the cause is personal. She told Newsday, “My father, who was a medical doctor, suddenly became ill and passed away in a short period of time. Despite already working in the gerontology field, this made me realise the need for geriatric care in our country.”
Inspired by the American Geriatric Society, she envisioned a local organisation dedicated to ensuring that elderly individuals in Trinidad and Tobago receive the care, respect, and support they deserve.
Thondavada said the society’s goal is to provide individuals with high-quality care whenever they need it and encourage the community to become aware of the geriatric healthcare services available to them.
The society takes a holistic approach, addressing not just physical health but also the psychological and social well-being of older adults.
“We provide healthcare services and camps with a comprehensive geriatric assessment and community events. We ensure that we involve both healthcare professionals, and caregivers in our services to provide both physical and psychological healthcare,” Thondavada explained. “To eliminate discrimination that affects the health and lifestyle of older adults, we encourage everyone in the community to participate.”
The society owes its progress to a dedicated team and valuable collaborations. Claire Gittens, a medical social worker and the society’s public relations officer, has played a pivotal role in community engagement. Additionally, Father Martin Sirju, the executive director, brings a holistic perspective to the society’s events and programmes.
Partnerships with organisations like South Dakota University, Flying Fish Swim Club, and the Home Care and Residential Living Association of TT have significantly advanced the Geriatric Society’s mission.
[caption id="attachment_1143415" align="alignnone" width="768"] Winston Dookeran after receiving his award from the Geriatric Society of TT. -[/caption]
“South Dakota University has been providing interdisciplinary training for healthcare professionals in geriatric medicine,” Thondavada noted. These collaborations have facilitated physical activity programmes, interdisciplinary training, and engaging community events.
With the main concerns of the elderly population being healthcare, abuse, financial insecurity, safety and family matters, since its inception, the society has undertaken numerous activities to support elderly people. These include, physical health programmes –water aerobics sessions; social engagement events such as sip and paint with live entertainment and and Christmas lunches; awaren
