WYCCF Case Manager Dementia Students set for a study visit to the Netherlands.

mentalhealth19092025PHILIPSBURG:--- The White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) is proud that a dementia case manager training has started on the SSS-islands, with professionals from Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire, and three from the WYCCF on Sint Maarten, who will leave for a study trip to the Netherlands from September 30th to October 3rd.

Launched in April 2025, the program equips eleven nurses and social workers from Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, and Bonaire with the skills to guide people living with dementia and their families through every step of the journey, from first concerns to possible long-term care.

Developed in partnership with the Dementia Academy (founded by Saskia Danen) and trainer/consultant Marieke Dooremalen, the tailor-made trajectory addresses a pressing need in our region. While dementia is rising rapidly, knowledge, coordination, and family support often lag. Shame, stigma, and underdiagnosis leave many without appropriate care. By investing together in the role of dementia case manager (an entirely new function for our islands), care organizations aim to structurally improve the quality of care and support.

Participants are trained in three complementary roles:

  • Dementia expert: guiding clients and loved ones, coordinating the right care, and advising fellow professionals.
  • Network coordinator: mapping local networks and strengthening collaboration across providers and community partners.
  • Advocate: raising awareness, breaking taboos, and helping build a dementia-friendly community.

“These roles reinforce each other and create a genuine integrated care approach,” says trainer Marieke Dooremalen. “We give case managers practical tools to connect with residents, associations, GPs, social services, and with each other. That collaboration builds momentum; other professionals and organizations benefit too.”

As part of the program, the cohort will make this study visit to the Netherlands. Planned stops include Alzheimer Nederland, the Migrant Clinic of the Alzheimer Center Rotterdam, the Odensehuis Amersfoort, and care organization Tante Louise. The group will also join a Caribbean cooking session with people with dementia at the Zorgerf in Putten. Throughout the week, they will exchange experiences with Dutch colleagues, with special attention to cultural perspectives on dementia.

“WYCCF is committed to strengthening dementia care for St. Maarten and our neighboring islands,” says WYCCF. “This training not only builds local expertise; it also fosters two-way learning about culturally sensitive care.”


Police report of Wednesday, the 17th of September until Friday, the 19th of September 2025.

On Wednesday, the 17th of September, at around 4:10 PM, the central control room received a report of a fight on Pasture Road on Saba. When the police arrived, the fight was over, and the other party had fled. It appeared that a man had been assaulted by three other individuals with a weapon. The victim sustained injuries as a result. The case is under investigation.

Sint Maarten Lions Club Launches 2025–2026 Peace Poster Contest.

2025–2026 Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest on the island.

lionspeace19092025Each year, this worldwide contest invites students to reflect on what peace means to them and to express their vision through art. This year’s theme, “Together As One,” encourages young people to explore how unity, cultural understanding, and compassion can bring the world closer together.

For more than three decades, the Peace Poster Contest has inspired millions of children around the globe to share their creativity while promoting the universal message of peace. Now, Sint Maarten’s students between the ages of 11 and 13 are invited to join this global conversation.

Participation is simple. If you are a student interested in entering, speak with your art teacher about your willingness to participate.

Create your own original poster that reflects the theme “Together As One,” and then submit your finished work to the Sint Maarten Lions Club through your school. The Lions Club will coordinate judging, select winners, and ensure that the top poster advances to the next level of competition.

Local winners will not only receive exciting art-related prizes valued up to $180, but their work will also be proudly displayed on LED screens at selected locations and printed at bus stops in the St. Peters district. Beyond these prizes, the international contest offers even greater recognition, with the global grand prizewinner receiving US

$5,000 and the opportunity to be honored on the world stage.

This contest is more than a competition. It is a chance for students to develop artistic skills, build confidence, and see their voices represented in a worldwide movement for peace. Teachers and parents are encouraged to motivate their students to take part in this rewarding experience.

For full contest details, deadlines, and resources, visit:

https://bit.ly/sxmlionspeace-poster

OECS Congratulates Saint Kitts and Nevis on its 42nd Anniversary of Independence.

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission extends heartfelt congratulations to the Government and people of Saint Kitts and Nevis on the occasion of the nation’s 42nd Anniversary of Independence, celebrated under the theme “Perpetual Progress – A Sustainable Future in View.”

In his remarks on this momentous occasion, Director General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules, commended Saint Kitts and Nevis for exemplifying that true greatness lies not in size but in vision, resilience, and innovation.

"Saint Kitts and Nevis, the smallest independent state in the Western Hemisphere, has demonstrated that greatness is never measured by size but by vision, resilience, and innovation. The theme of this year’s celebration – Perpetual Progress: A Sustainable Future in View – perfectly captures the Federation’s ethos. Progress has been perpetual: from achieving universal education early on, to nurturing a thriving tourism industry, to creating modern frameworks in digital governance, healthcare, and financial services."

Saint Kitts and Nevis has been a trailblazer in renewable energy, advancing geothermal and solar initiatives that place the Federation at the forefront of clean and sustainable energy in the Caribbean. More recently, the Federation’s introduction of a biometric portal for immigration services reflects its forward-thinking approach to digital transformation, enhancing security, efficiency, and governance.

On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Federation will mark this milestone with ceremonial parades, the presentation of national awards, and the unifying “Toast to the Nation.” The OECS Commission salutes the Government and people of Saint Kitts and Nevis for their leadership, resilience, and enduring contributions to regional integration and global innovation.

For live coverage of the Independence celebrations, please follow the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) on Facebook and //www.youtube.com/@SKNISmedia>" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none;">YouTube.

CPS: World Alzheimer's Day 2025: "Ask About Dementia, Ask About Alzheimer's"

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- As part of its annual Health Observances Calendar (HOC), the Collective Prevention Service (CPS) profiles health matters. This Sunday, September 21, 2025, marks World Alzheimer's Day.

On this day, there is an international initiative to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

This year's theme, "Ask About Dementia, Ask About Alzheimer's," encourages a global dialogue to normalize conversations about memory loss, promote early diagnosis, and ensure that those affected—patients and their families—receive the support they need.

As research advances and new treatments emerge, the call for greater public understanding is more critical than ever to improve quality of life and empower caregivers.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's can be an emotional and overwhelming journey for a family. It transforms daily life and requires a significant shift in roles and responsibilities.

The first and most vital step is to educate the entire family about the disease, its progression, and what to expect. Understanding that behavioral changes, memory lapses, or confusion are symptoms of the illness—not a deliberate action—can help reduce frustration and maintain a compassionate, patient-centered approach.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a marathon, not a sprint, and families must prioritize their own well-being to avoid burning out.

Looking to the future, there is more hope than ever before. Recent research breakthroughs have led to promising new treatments that can slow the progression of the disease, particularly when administered in its early stages.

Studies have also highlighted the importance of lifestyle interventions—like exercise, a healthy diet, and cognitive activities—in promoting brain health.

The theme "Ask About Dementia, Ask About Alzheimer's" serves as a reminder that these conversations can be life changing. By speaking openly, families can access early diagnosis, explore treatment options, and build a strong support network, ensuring that their loved one can live with dignity, purpose, and engagement for as long as possible.

Dementia is not part of the normal aging process, and there are ways to reduce the risk of developing dementia. Dementia is a term for several diseases that affect memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities.

Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, it is not an inevitable consequence of biological ageing.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has produced a link and CPS calls on the community to inform itself about dementia by visiting the following link ‘Time to Act on Dementia’: https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/time-to-act-on-dementia

After visiting the link, scroll down the page to download the ‘Campaign Toolkit.’

The toolkit has a wealth of information and messages designed for four target groups including carers and people living with dementia, healthcare practitioners, and the general public.


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