2007: Ms. Jamme Morency an Occupational Therapy student travelled the country to interview caregivers of older persons. She produced a report entitled: “I do the best I can” – Perceptions of Caregiving for the elderly in Belize.  This report was reproduced in a very prodigious academic journal.

2008: Ms. Amanda Hansell conducted a quality of life study of older persons living in residential facilities in Belize.

2010: Ms. Carolyn Gilooly also an Occupational Therapy student carried out an assessment on the level of function and healthcare available to older persons having suffered a stroke. Carolyn also produced 2 brochures in English and Spanish entitled: ‘Stroke – a guide to understanding, preventing and recognizing strokes’.

2007: Ms. Beth MacMillan and Ms. Lisa Palmer worked to create greater awareness about the hazards of falls in older persons and how they should be prevented. They produced the ‘Stay Safe on Your Feet’ brochure in English and Spanish and also facilitated a training of trainers programme for healthcare workers and caregivers in order to build capacity in the community.

2008: Ms. Andrea Town and Ms. Catherine Poirier worked jointly with the NCA and the Ministry of Health, Mental Health Programme as they were interested in the mental health issues of older persons in the community. They worked with the PNP at the Port Loyola Day Centre/ Clinic using their rehabilitation therapy skills.

2009: Ms. Jamilee Adams and Ms. Jeanette McNalty continued the work established by Beth and Lisa on falls prevention by organizing and facilitating workshops to educate health professionals. They also developed and produced the excellent ‘Falls Prevention Training Manual’.

2008: Mrs. Christy Kessens Gerontology student from Iowa chose her own placement with the NCA. Christy specialized in Alzheimer’s disease which was very beneficial to the NCA because for the first time we were able to use her knowledge and skills very positively to educate the public in Belize.

Christy produced 3 brochures: ‘Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease; Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Nighttime Behaviour Problems’, all of which have been extremely popular and have been reproduced several times. Christy also facilitated several workshops on Alzheimer’s disease for healthcare professionals and community caregivers. Christy wrote about her experience in Belize in 2010 which was published in the Global Action on Ageing newsletter.

2009: Ms. Sandra Gillot a SUNY Volunteer came to Belize with a particular interest in the different cultures that existed in the country. Sandra carried out a survey on how culture impacts the needs and treatment of older people in the different communities of Belize.

2011: Mr. William Paranto Jr – Physiotherapy Volunteer from USA.
Although only with the NCA for a short while, William carried out some very useful physiotherapy work with all the residential homes in Belize with older persons suffering chronic mobility issues.

2012: Ms. Andrea Attorri – Dr. of Physiotherapy from ELON DPT in the USA.
Andrea volunteered her services enthusiastically for 3 months and worked with the Mercy Care Clinic, Sister Cecilia Home and the Octavia Waight Centre, where she not only assisted older persons with therapy techniques but also trained the staff at the Centres. She produced very useful laminated exercise materials and developed and facilitated a training programme for Community Health Workers in the Cayo District.

2014: Ms Laura MacGregor and Ms. Michelle McElhaney worked jointly with the NCA and the Mercy Care Clinic on a project to create greater awareness of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with health and social work professionals and also family caregivers.

The major focus of their work in Belize was to provide support to family caregivers from the Mercy Care Clinic who were trying to cope with members of their family suffering from Dementia/Alzheimer’s.

They produced information leaflets on all aspects of care giving and also the ‘Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group Facilitator’s Guide’.

The workshops and education sessions were the catalyst to form the Alzheimer’s Association in Belize

2007: Ms. Natalie Pratt conducted a survey in Belmopan and the surrounding villages of the health, benefits, family support and living conditions of older people.

2008: Ms. Yvette Hepburn compiled an in depth report which concentrated upon older persons access to primary healthcare in the Belmopan area.  

2009: Ms. Tiffany Taylor interviewed older people in Belmopan and produced a booklet entitled ‘Pioneers of Belmopan’.

2011: Ms. Melissa Miralda conducted a survey with older people in the Belmopan area regarding the availability of facilities open to older persons and their social engagement in the Belmopan community.

2011: Ms. Angie Mendez interviewed older persons from Benque Viejo del Carmen community and produced a booklet entitled ‘Older People’s lives in Benque Viejo’. This booklet was produced in English and Spanish.

2011/12: Ms. Tiffany Taylor developed and produced a brochure on ‘HIV/AIDS- Facts for Older Adults’.

2015: Ms. Sharlen Nuñez interviewed older people from Belmopan and Dangriga about their early lives and produced a booklet entitled:  ‘Senior Reflections’.

Belmopan Comprehensive – Community Placement

2011: Ms. Jessica Martinez and Ms. Lorna Parchue assisted with the work being undertaken with the Senior Steps group in Belmopan when they met on a weekly basis and also with the very popular Variety Show.