SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico) — A health worker acts as a bridge between a father suffering from dementia in San Juan, Puerto Rico and his daughters living on the U.S. mainland. A church creates a charity that coordinates emergency and long-term care for older people. A 74-year old woman watches as her hometown with its high concentration of elderly adults begins to fade.
Puerto Rico ages faster than other places on Earth. Amilcar Mateos-Moreno is a postdoctoral researcher with the Population Research Institute at Pennsylvania State University. He says that the recent exodus by more than 700,000.0 Puerto Ricans in working age — aged between 20 and 64 — has exacerbated the pattern.
Matos-Moreno says that the U.S. Territory is the first area to experience such rapid ageing of its population due to recent migration.
The older adults, who used to rely on a multigenerational network of family members and friends are now more isolated and reliant on social services and caregivers. It is difficult to determine who will coordinate and navigate essential services for older Puerto Ricans, since they are unable to advocate for themselves.
Mayra Oriz Tapia is a clinical gerontologist who believes that “95%” of Puerto Rican families are currently dealing with the issue.
According to U.S. Census data, there are approximately 741,000 Puerto Ricans aged 65 and older. According to Matos Moreno, this is about a quarter (22,7%) of the total population of the island.
Carmen Sanchez Salgado said that Puerto Rico society was not prepared to handle the significant increase of elders and, furthermore, to have our elders live longer. “Our government does not have enough resources to meet the needs of our elderly.”
Taking care of a loved one from overseas is ‘difficult.’
In 2007, nearly half (48%) of the adults aged 65 and older on the island had at least one child who lived outside Puerto Rico. Matos-Moreno believes that number is likely to be much higher today, as a series of events, such as a financial crises, hurricanes and earthquakes, political turmoil, and the Covid-19 virus pandemic have led more islanders to migrate on the mainland.
Sanchez Salgado stated that the situation is further complicated by the lower birth rate and increased life expectancy.
Yarin Mera said, “Caring for your parents while you live abroad can be difficult.” She is a 40-year-old product designer from San Francisco.
Mera’s father, who is 85 years old, called her over a year before after becoming disoriented in San Juan. Mera’s father, who is 85 years old, called her after becoming disoriented while driving in San Juan.
“Being the caretaker of your parent while living abroad is difficult,” says Yarín Mera, at right, who lives in California; her sister Jacyline, at left, lives in Georgia. Their father, Virgilio Mera, who lives in Puerto Rico, was recently diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
Courtesy Yarin Mera
Mera’s frustrating experience made her realize that she was dealing with a confusing service landscape, as people were forced to switch between government agencies, insurance companies, and private organizations.
She said that managing the pressure to ensure her father’s well-being “is very complex.”
Ortiz Tapia helped Mera create a short-term strategy to address her father’s urgent needs. First, he had to be seen by a neurologist. Mera’s extended island family accompanied him for the first appointment. Mera’s older sister who lives in Georgia and Mera took turns travelling to the island each time for Mera’s follow-up appointments.
Mera stated that it was obvious he could not be alone.
Mera asked the nurses at the cardiology hospital where her father gets his checkups, if anyone was available to help at home. This way she could avoid the long wait lists for housekeeping or other services. She was able get two part-time caretakers on a rotation basis, five days a weeks.
Mera’s dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s early stage, which prompted the sisters to create a long-term strategy.
Mera explained, “We are aware that my father will eventually have to go to a nursing facility.” “But we’re taking it month-by-month for now,” Mera said.
