Six women this week graduated a training programme designed to teach them how to care for the Island’s elderly.

Aisha Mussenden, Khalilah Dill, Katrina Dowling, Kishona Zuill, Sharon Stowe and Zita Pitt successfully completed the Modular Education Programs for Activity Professionals, which was hosted by the Lefroy House Care Community.

Under the guidance and direction of instructor Karen Fox-Simmons, the women completed the 18-week course and were also certified as activity professionals by the United States’ National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP).

“These six women have worked diligently to learn the fundamentals of recreation and activities as they aim to eradicate loneliness, helplessness, and boredom throughout Bermuda’s elder population,” Ms Fox-Simmons said in a statement.

“Bermuda should be proud and should encourage the paradigm shift as it increases the interaction and the day-to-day stimulation for our elders throughout the Island.”

Earlier this month, Ms Zuill and Ms Pitt also accompanied Ms Fox-Simmons and several others from Bermuda to Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend a NCCAP National Symposium and training programme.

“These wonderful young ladies experienced first-hand a bond between activity professional nationwide and the struggle to change activities for the elderly,” Ms Fox-Simmons said.

“Furthermore, they helped to put Bermuda on the map for activity professionals by showing the world we may be small in size but we are large at heart.”

To earn their certification, the women participated in the course, which ran on two days a week for three hours a day, and completed 90 hours of practical experience to help them prepare for a career in the field.

The course covered a variety of topics, including quality of life, quality of care and its philosophy, functional abilities, interdisciplinary care planning and assessments, documentation, medical terminology, Bermuda’s healthcare structure, acts and regulations, and relationship building.