Growing old in St. Lucia: expectations and experiences in a Caribbean village

In St. Lucia there are increased proportions of elders secondary to decreasing fertility and mortality rates and increasing life expectancy. The fact that people are living longer is a reflection of social success; however, increasing numbers of elders (often with chronic health problems) challenge family, social, health, political, and economic systems. Who will provide care and how this care will be provided are at the forefront of health and social service planning and debate. This paper describes the status of elders in St. Lucia. Expectations as well as current care experiences of elders and villagers are described.