The Minister for Social Development and Innovation, Honourable Isaac Rankine, tabled the Older Persons Council's first comprehensive Report since its establishment in Parliament on Friday, 2 October 2026, during the Third Sitting of the Second Meeting of the 2026-2027 Session of Parliament. Covering the period 2017 to 2025, the Report documents the council’s work over the past eight years and sets out recommendations to strengthen policies, services and protections for older persons. The Report can be accessed via the Ministry and Older Persons Council's website via gov.ky/msdi and gov.ky/opc, respectively.
The Report was initially presented to Minister Rankine by the council's former leadership, former Chairperson Lucille Seymour and former Deputy Chairperson Sarah Alice Mae Coe, on Thursday, 16 July. It reflects years of collaboration between the council, the ministry and key stakeholders and highlights the importance of coordinated, whole-of-government response to population ageing.
The Report highlights the country’s changing demographics, noting that the population aged 65 and over has increased by 98 per cent over the past 11 years, while the number of people aged 56 to 64 has grown by 73 per cent. It also notes that most older persons continue to live independently within their communities, highlighting the need for coordinated planning to support healthy ageing.
Key recommendations include the establishment of a Commissioner for Older Persons, creation of a dedicated department to coordinate services and protections and formation of a ministerial committee to strengthen cross-government collaboration. The Report also calls for greater support for community organisations and a national study, in partnership with international organisations to better understand the needs of older persons and inform future policy.
Minister Rankine welcomed the Report and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving the lives of older persons. “I thank the former leaders and members of the Older Persons Council for their dedication and service and for producing this Report. The recommendations presented will provide valuable guidance as we strengthen policies, legislation and partnerships that support older persons. The ministry looks forward to carefully reviewing the recommendations as we continue working to build a society where older persons are respected, protected and able to live with dignity and security.
Presenting the Report, Ms Seymour said it serves as both a record of the council’s achievements and a roadmap for future action. “This Report is more than a record of the council’s work; it is a call to action. We hope these recommendations provide a practical roadmap for ensuring older persons are recognised as valued citizens whose rights, wellbeing and contributions are fully reflected in national development planning.”
Mrs Coe further underscored the need for stronger legislation, improved services and enhanced safeguarding measures for older persons, and she expressed the hope that the Report will contribute to making the country a more age-friendly society where older persons are protected and afforded meaningful opportunities to participate fully in community life.
Concluding the presentation, the former Chairpersons acknowledged the ministry’s ongoing work on the Older Persons (Amendment) Act, 2024 and expressed appreciation for its continued commitment to strengthening protections for older persons.