WILLEMSTAD – Elderly care in Curaçao is under increasing pressure, with some seniors waiting months for a place in a nursing home while hospital beds at the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) remain occupied by patients who are medically discharged but have nowhere else to go.
That is the conclusion of a new analysis by the organization Hende-I-Medio-Ambiente (HiMA), which warns that the healthcare system could face even greater strain if no structural measures are taken.
According to the report, the bottleneck in elderly care has a direct impact on the wider healthcare system. Patients who are medically ready to leave the hospital sometimes remain at CMC because appropriate long-term care facilities are unavailable. As a result, hospital capacity becomes limited for other patients who need acute care.
HiMA says one of the first steps toward addressing the problem is gaining better insight into elderly residents who currently fall outside the formal care system. The organization proposes conducting research into seniors who live at home without sufficient support.
There are indications that many elderly people across the island depend on relatives, neighbors or informal assistance, while their actual care needs may be greater than currently recognized.
Such an inventory would not only identify the number of vulnerable seniors but also provide insight into their medical and social situations. This information could help determine what types of care are required, ranging from home care and day programs to admission to nursing homes.
The report also suggests expanding capacity more quickly by repurposing existing buildings. According to HiMA, several properties on the island are currently vacant and could relatively easily be converted into residential care facilities for the elderly.
Using existing structures could allow additional capacity to be created much faster than through new construction projects, the organization says.
Another key element of the proposed approach is strengthening support for family caregivers. Many elderly people in Curaçao rely on relatives for daily care. While this informal support is essential, it is also under pressure because family members often work or have limited financial resources.
HiMA therefore advocates better support for caregivers, including guidance, training and temporary replacement care that allows family members to take breaks when needed.
The report also highlights the growing importance of geriatric care as the population ages. Conditions such as dementia and chronic illnesses are expected to become more common, requiring more specialized facilities and expertise within the healthcare sector.
As an example, HiMA points to the geriatric rehabilitation program developed at nursing home Betèsda. The program helps elderly patients recover after a hospital stay before returning home. However, the report notes that such initiatives remain vulnerable when they lack stable, long-term funding.
To improve coordination across the sector, HiMA proposes the creation of a special taskforce on elderly care. This platform would bring together the government, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders to better align policy, financing and implementation.
According to the organization, such a coordinated approach is necessary to prevent the situation from worsening. Without structural action, the report warns, more elderly people could end up remaining at home without adequate care while pressure on hospitals continues to grow.