JamCAN Foundations mission is to provide supportive services to Jamaican seniors and children including afterschool, adult day wellness and enrichment programmes along with individual and community support for daily activities and in times of need. The primary foci are health, education, and support for the whole person to ensure continued development and wellbeing at all stages of life. The primary service areas are suburban and rural.
The JamCAN Centre is a benefit to the elderly or retirees looking to benefit from a specialized enrichment programme or those who are would like to be engaged with other seniors and may need care during the day while their loved ones are at work or unavailable. The Wellness and Development Centre in collaboration with local interfaith or civil organizations will create programmes that will benefit seniors and may include:
- Allowing him/her her to stay active in his or her community
- while caregivers go to work
- Providing social interaction
- Providing greater structure to his or her daily activities
- Providing health monitoring
- Providing enrichment
- Physical activities depending on mobility
JamCAN will conduct outreach to local health related organizations including the Ministry of Health and private practice physicians and other clinicians. JamCAN can also facilitate monthly volunteer opportunities including health drives to conduct blood pressure and testing of blood sugar levels; and provide information on a variety of ageing related health topics.
JamCAN Foundation is affiliated with JamCAN Home Care Limited, a leader in providing home care to not only seniors but also those in need of home care on an ongoing basis. The JamCAN Home Care difference is better health through the use of technology. JamCAN Home Care will participate in monthly volunteer activities including but not limited to providing some electronic medical monitoring of seniors enrolled in Wellness and Development programmes.
Each JamCAN Wellness and Development Centre will engage and provide opportunities to seniors in the management and decision-making of their Centre. To the extent possible clients will provide feedback and expertise where appropriate to ensure that the programme meets the needs of all participants on an on-going basis.
Research shows that many seniors become socially isolated as they age due to challenges with completing daily tasks and limitations in mobility. It is important to ensure that all programmes through the wellness and development centre provide multiple opportunities to positively socially engage seniors.
Our Future!
JamCAN is dedicated to providing aftercare and where appropriate enhanced support for those interfaith organizations with pre-school or basic schools. JamCAN believes that there should be a balanced approach to child care, focusing on the whole child by promoting social, emotional, physical and educational growth and provide the following:
Nutritious breakfasts, hot lunches and/or snacks (where appropriate depending on available programmes). The enrichment programme will also actively engage children in health related activities such as planting garden to foster healthy eating.
JamCAN will also support the development of programmes including, but not limited to:
- Language arts, social skills, science and math
- Spanish as a second language
- Homework & afterschool tutoring
- Sports and physical activities
- Exposure and participation in community activities and outreach
Community involvement and leadership are important to the development of children. All children participating in after-school care and enrichment will be encouraged to actively participate in activities sponsored by the church or civic organization partnering with JamCAN. We believe that by providing leadership opportunities and community activities early we will develop leadership skills and increase social and civic participation later in life.
positively impact children and seniors
The environment may have the following to support intergenerational care and enrichment:
- A computer center
- Games, toys and puzzles
- A plentiful supply of books
- An area for arts and crafts
- Kitchen area for baking cookies
- Outdoor intergenerational playground/pati
Music
has long been viewed as a way to develop young minds. Research has also proven that music therapy may reduce the likelihood or severity of dementia or Alzheimer. Opportunities will be provided (as resources allow) for both children and seniors to participate in music education.
Art
may be an effective tool in not only providing ongoing enrichment opportunities for adults but may also support the social, emotional and educational growth of children. Opportunities will be sought to expose both seniors and children to a variety of art and media.
Other learning opportunities may include staff supervised activities including, dance, computer skills, story time, age appropriate activities, games, special events and field trips.
JamCAN Foundation will work independently as well as foster collaborations with governmental, non-profit, religious and other civic organizations to:
- Provide meals to the indigent and those with limited mobility
- Assist the shut-in with disaster preparedness including delivering food and assisting with home preparations
- Supply books and reading materials to those with limited access
- Assistance with daily activities including paying bills and meal preparation as appropriate
There are opportunities to engage and connect active seniors and children to volunteer opportunities within their communities.