Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre
MAWC is a specialized centre in The Office of the Principal of The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. MAWC’s work is focused in four (4) priority areas: Research, Training, Outreach and Policy Influence. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of the older adult population nationally and regionally through novel ageing research, training in geriatrics and gerontology, contribution to policy development, and community outreach.
Since the 1980s, MAWC has been at the forefront of ageing research, evidence-led advocacy, and policy influence in Jamaica and the Region. Jamaica’s first national study on the health and social status of older adults in Jamaica (1989) was led by MAWC’s Executive Director, Professor Emerita Denise Eldemire-Shearer and provided crucial evidence to shape Jamaica’s National Policy for Senior Citizens.
This Policy, written by Professor Eldemire-Shearer, was the first of its kind in the Caribbean and provided the framework for the development and implementation of targeted programmes to address older adults’ well-being in Jamaica. It also paved the way for other Caribbean territories to develop similar policy and legislative instruments to address ageing and older adults in their countries. The national survey was repeated in 2012 and supported health and social interventions including the later revision of the National Policy for Senior Citizens.
The Centre’s research, advocacy, and partnership with local and international organizations have led to other important initiatives including Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme, a drug-subsidy intervention targeting older adults with chronic diseases. Other important outputs include documented guidelines for mainstreaming older adults in disaster situations and also for implementing age-friendly practices in primary health care.
More recently, research conducted at critical time points during the COVID-19 pandemic improved understanding locally of the effect of COVID-19 on older persons, including the effects on health and health services utilization, social relationships and support. The findings of these studies influenced protocols, messaging, support systems and response activities to COVID-19.
In 2021, the Centre completed a case study on ageing and long-term care for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The study, which was the first of its kind in an English-speaking country in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), provides valuable information to support ageing initiatives in the region. MAWC also conducted a data-gathering exercise for the IDB for their survey on long-term care in LAC. Specifically, MAWC conducted key informant interviews with stakeholders in seven IDB-borrowing countries. The survey aimed to improve understanding of older adults' needs and coverage in the areas of pensions, health, and long-term care for dependency.
The Centre continues to make important contributions are in the areas of men’s health, dementia, caregiving, financial well-being in retirement, grand-parenting, sexual health and relationships, and long-term care. As population ageing continues in Jamaica and the Caribbean, MAWC remains committed to providing strong and reliable research evidence to support programmes and policies.
Through workshops and short courses, the Centre has trained scores of healthcare workers and lay people across the Caribbean in caring for older adults at the community level. Since 2015 the Centre has offered graduate level training and certification. We offer a gerontology emphasis/track in the Master of Public Health programme, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Gerontology, and an MPhil/PhD in Ageing Studies. Our newest programme, Post-Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine, started in 2021 and aims to prepare medical doctors for the specialized care of older adults.
MAWC also designs and tailors training programmes based on clients’ needs. The Board of Supervision (for the relief of the poor in Jamaica) within the Ministry of Local Government is one such client. In 2020 and 2023 MAWC coordinated and facilitated virtual training for Poor Relief officers and Infirmary Matrons. Participants received a Certificate in Poor Relief Administration upon successful completion of the 300-hour course.
The Centre undertakes various outreach initiatives at the national and community levels. These include provision of services to promote healthy ageing and improve well-being, such as our twice-weekly supervised exercise sessions for older adults and the administration of selected vaccines in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness. We also participate in a wide range of public education and information sharing activities such as public speaking engagements, health and information fairs, and public engagement via social media. MAWC also partners with various social services and communities to provide ad hoc support and relief to older adults.
The Centre maintains a list of suppliers catering to Jamaica's ageing population, as a mobile and tablet device application (app). The app can be downlaoded from the Googel Play Store and Apple App Store. The mobile app was bulit thanks to funding from the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).
