The physical and emotional exhaustion of those caring for the elderly in Cuba is worsened by power outages, shortages of food and basic products, and the economic difficulties families are facing, as warned by Cáritas Cuba in a report highlighting the lack of support for these caregivers.
The article The "Invisible" Thread of Care describes the challenges faced by those who care for dependent family members and questions whether the legal recognition of their rights translates into adequate protection mechanisms.
The text tells the story of Ada, a woman over 60 who takes care of her aunt Juana, who is nearly 90, amidst prolonged power outages and difficulties in obtaining the necessary resources.
Your responsibilities include ensuring the cleanliness of the elderly woman, attending to her nutrition and medication, providing physical assistance to prevent her from becoming immobilized, and offering companionship and emotional support.
Ada has a supportive family network, but the material and economic shortages hinder her efforts and
The author of the article uses this experience to highlight a reality that often remains outside of public debate: that of people who dedicate a significant portion of their time and efforts to caring for ill, elderly, or disabled family members, often without sufficient resources or opportunities for rest.
Cáritas warns that the difficulties in obtaining food, hygiene products, and transportation have become everyday obstacles for those caring for dependent individuals.
The organization asserts that some elderly caregivers are forced to leave their jobs because they cannot balance family responsibilities with transportation difficulties, power outages, and other limitations.
According to their assessment, this situation may leave both the caregiver and the person who relies on their care in a greater economic vulnerability.
Disruption is not limited to physical effort. Cáritas also identifies isolation, constant worry, and the lack of spaces to share experiences as issues that impact the emotional well-being of these individuals.
The organization also emphasizes that care should not be viewed as an exclusive obligation of women, as this perception perpetuates inequalities and places a significant portion of family responsibilities on them.
The legal recognition of caregivers has not eliminated the difficulties they face in practice.
Cáritas reminds us that the Family Code of Cuba, approved in 2022, recognizes and protects caregivers starting from its Article 413.
It also notes that Decree 109 of 2024 established the National System for Comprehensive Life Care, aimed at coordinating policies for those in need of care and the individuals responsible for providing it.
However, the institution believes that these provisions have not been adequately translated into training, remuneration, opportunities for rest, and support networks, either familial or community-based, for those who take on these responsibilities.
The report itself acknowledges the existence of community and private initiatives dedicated to care, but warns that the costs of certain professional services are difficult for many Cuban families to bear.
In this scenario, Cáritas develops support activities through its Senior Citizens Program, which include visits, guidance, training, community gatherings, and spaces for交流 between caregivers.
The organization explains that these initiatives aim to alleviate isolation and help those caring for dependent family members find support from others facing similar challenges.
The institution advocates for the need to strengthen community services and ensure that caregivers have access to support, training, and opportunities for rest, especially when they themselves are older adults, as is the case with Ada.
The situation of older adults in Cuba has been reflected in other recent testimonies.
In June, a report on Cuban senior citizens highlighted the difficulties they face in accessing food and addressing their healthcare needs amid low pensions and blackouts.
In July, elderly residents of Santiago de las Vegas, in Havana, were seen carrying containers of water due to the lack of supply in their homes, yet another example of how the scarcity of basic services complicates the lives of older individuals.
More recently, an elderly Cuban reported having endured 23 consecutive hours without electricity and explained the challenges of cooking when the service is only restored for brief periods.
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