Care for Our Elderly in Aruba Now in Crisis

Parliament declares elderly Care Crisis in Aruba Demands : Member of Parliament Eduard Pieters of the PPA faction presented a strong motion during Thursday’s public parliamentary meeting regarding the situation of elderly care in Aruba. The motion was supported by solid arguments and received unanimous approval from the entire Parliament.

This means Parliament has sent a clear message to the government: the current state of care for our elderly in Aruba is no longer sustainable and requires immediate structural action. Responsibility now lies with the Minister.

A Report That Cannot Be Ignored

The motion was based on the report from the Aruba Health Inspectorate (IVA) titled “Als zorg levens kost” (“When care costs lives”). According to Pieters, the report clearly outlines serious deficiencies in elderly care facilities, including falls, infections, negligence, and even fatal consequences.

The Inspectorate indicated that many of these incidents are not accidental but the result of structural problems such as staff shortages, lack of expertise, poor governance, and reactive rather than systematic management. The Inspectorate called for a structured and systemic approach, not merely interventions when problems arise. Pieters stressed that this is not a simple recommendation, but an alarm signal.

Pressure on the System Is Unsustainable

According to the PPA faction, the motion acknowledges that pressure on elderly care homes has become unsustainable. The safety and dignity of the most vulnerable citizens are at risk. For this reason, the motion does not call for more studies, but for concrete deadlines:

• Within a maximum of 2 months: finalize and present a national elderly care policy to Parliament.

• Within 3 months: implement quality standards to guarantee safety in care homes.

• Within 3 months: present an execution plan with clear goals, activities, and measurable indicators.

• In the first supplementary budget of 2026: allocate the necessary funds to execute the plan.

This is not a suggestion, but a parliamentary mandate.

From Vision to Implementation

Pieters emphasized that the strength of the motion lies in its focus on implementation. “Not just vision, but a measurable plan. Not just words, but budget,” he stated.

For years, elderly care in Aruba has been discussed in terms of future plans, working groups, and additional studies. Meanwhile, the aging population continues to grow, waiting lists are increasing, financial pressure is rising, and families are losing confidence in the system.

The motion calls for an integral approach: improving quality in care homes while also strengthening support for elderly people living at home. Vision has value, Pieters noted, but without execution, vision remains only on paper.

A Test of Political Responsibility

Now that the motion has been unanimously approved, key questions remain:

• Will Minister Wyatt-Ras respect the deadlines?

• Will real funds be allocated?

• Will there be an execution plan with measurable results?

Elderly care affects every family in Aruba. It is not just about alarming statistics; it concerns our mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers.

In closing, Pieters thanked his fellow parliamentarians for putting aside political differences to support the motion. Parliament has spoken clearly: enough with postponing decisions. Now is the time for execution, because our elderly deserve care that protects their lives.