Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025

Systematic changes needed to fight Alzheimer’s- Caregiver Keriann Malone

Systematic changes needed to fight Alzheimer’s- Caregiver Keriann Malone

Systematic changes are necessary if the Virgin Islands is to fight Alzheimer’s in an effective way was the key message from an individual who has family members afflicted by dementia.

On Friday, September 23, 2022, the VI Alzheimer’s Association held two activities back to back as part of observances for World Alzheimer's Month. The events were a Paint the Town Purple March and a Candlelight Vigil.

Several members of the VI's Alzheimer's Association, service organisations and clubs, in the company of persons living with and affected by the disease, walked from Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park, down Waterfront Drive, before turning back near Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital and returning to Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park.

Mr Larry Griner of the USA was the guest speaker and those present also heard from the Association’s Patron Ms Tara Curtis, who shared her story of her mother, an Alzheimer's patient.

It was during the vigil that Ms Keriann Malone gave a VI perspective of a caregiver for persons living with the condition. She shared that her grandmother, Ms Eileene L. Baronville, the territory’s first woman police officer, cultural icon and educator, as well as her father, Mr Rufus Malone, have been diagnosed with dementia.

Lack of support programmes


Ms Malone lamented there being no support programmes in Road Road for persons suffering from dementia, as she takes her father from Road Town to East End to attend an engagement programme for seniors.

“There are also a number of up and running community programmes such as the East End/Long Look Senior Engagement Programme. Despite the fact that I live in town and my dad now resides with me, he has recently started attending this programme and he definitely seems to like it and enjoys himself every time he attends.

“The care and support given to all attendees are superb! Noticed I mentioned I live in town and he attends the East End/Long Look Senior Engagement Programme. That’s because there is currently none in town. With the growing need throughout the territory of the Virgin Islands, I encourage each district to run programmes for the seniors, dementia patients, and the differently abled."

Systemic changes necessary- Keriann Malone


This is when she made the call for a systematic change.

“Can you imagine living in a society that caters very little to persons with dementia? The journey will be even harder because the aim of support and service is to empower people living with dementia, and those who care for them, with the tools, connections, resources and help that they will need to live; as well as prepare for the future. Since the demands for relevant skills and knowledge have increased we need a change.”

“We can’t continue doing the same and expect change, meaningful change...let's talk money. If something costs a dollar and you pay a dollar, can you get back change? No! How can you get change if you give the exact? You only can get change if you give extra. Thus, I am looking forward to the extra, systematic changes that are necessary, in policies, training, funding and resources, which will eventually empower people and positively change mindsets,” Malone stated.

World Alzheimer's Month Month was observed under the theme: Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer's.


Keriann Malone addresses persons at the candlelight vigil held by the VI Alzheimer's Association at Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park on September 23, 2022.


Governor John J. Rankin, CMG at the candlelight vigil held by the VI Alzheimer's Association on September 23, 2022.


Some of the participants of the awareness walk held by the VI Alzheimer's Association in Road Town on September 23, 2022.


The need for more support programmes for persons suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's was highlighted at the VI Alzheimer's Association's candlelight vigil on September 23, 2022.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Apple Challenges EU Digital Markets Act Crackdown in Landmark Court Battle
Nicolas Sarkozy begins five-year prison term at La Santé in Paris
Japan stocks surge to record as Sanae Takaichi becomes Prime Minister
This Is How the 'Heist of the Century' Was Carried Out at the Louvre in Seven Minutes: France Humiliated as Crown with 2,000 Diamonds Vanishes
China Warns UK of ‘Consequences’ After Delay to London Embassy Approval
France’s Wealthy Shift Billions to Luxembourg and Switzerland Amid Tax and Political Turmoil
"Sniper Position": Observation Post Targeting 'Air Force One' Found Before Trump’s Arrival in Florida
Shouting Match at the White House: 'Trump Cursed, Threw Maps, and Told Zelensky – "Putin Will Destroy You"'
Windows’ Own ‘Siri’ Has Arrived: You Can Now Talk to Your Computer
Thailand and Singapore Investigate Cambodian-Based Prince Group as U.S. and U.K. Sanctions Unfold
‘No Kings’ Protests Inflate Numbers — But History Shows Nations Collapse Without Strong Executive Power
Chinese Tech Giants Halt Stablecoin Launches After Beijing’s Regulatory Intervention
Manhattan Jury Holds BNP Paribas Liable for Enabling Sudanese Government Abuses
Trump Orders Immediate Release of Former Congressman George Santos After Commuting Prison Sentence
S&P Downgrades France’s Credit Rating, Citing Soaring Debt and Political Instability
Ofcom Rules BBC’s Gaza Documentary ‘Materially Misleading’ Over Narrator’s Hamas Ties
Diane Keaton’s Cause of Death Revealed as Pneumonia, Family Confirms
Former Lostprophets Frontman Ian Watkins Stabbed to Death in British Prison
"The Tsunami Is Coming, and It’s Massive": The World’s Richest Man Unveils a New AI Vision
Outsider, Heroine, Trailblazer: Diane Keaton Was Always a Little Strange — and Forever One of a Kind
Dramatic Development in the Death of 'Mango' Founder: Billionaire's Son Suspected of Murder
Two Years of Darkness: The Harrowing Testimonies of Israeli Hostages Emerging From Gaza Captivity
EU Moves to Use Frozen Russian Assets to Buy U.S. Weapons for Ukraine
Europe Emerges as the Biggest Casualty in U.S.-China Rare Earth Rivalry
HSBC Confronts Strategic Crossroads as NAB Seeks Only Retail Arm in Australia Exit
U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
Shenzhen Expo Spotlights China’s Quantum Step in Semiconductor Self-Reliance
China Accelerates to the Forefront in Global Nuclear Fusion Race
Yachts, Private Jets, and a Picasso Painting: Exposed as 'One of the Largest Frauds in History'
Australia’s Wedgetail Spies Aid NATO Response as Russian MiGs Breach Estonian Airspace
McGowan Urges Chalmers to Cut Spending Over Tax Hike to Close $20 Billion Budget Gap
Victoria Orders Review of Transgender Prison Placement Amid Safety Concerns for Female Inmates
U.S. Treasury Mobilises New $20 Billion Debt Facility to Stabilise Argentina
French Business Leaders Decry Budget as Macron’s Pro-Enterprise Promise Undermined
Trump Claims Modi Pledged India Would End Russian Oil Imports Amid U.S. Tariff Pressure
Surging AI Startup Valuations Fuel Bubble Concerns Among Top Investors
Australian Punter Archie Wilson Tears Up During Nebraska Press Conference, Sparking Conversation on Male Vulnerability
Australia Confirms U.S. Access to Upgraded Submarine Shipyard Under AUKUS Deal
“Firepower” Promised for Ukraine as NATO Ministers Meet — But U.S. Tomahawks Remain Undecided
Brands Confront New Dilemma as Extremists Adopt Fashion Labels
The Sydney Sweeney and Jeans Storm: “The Outcome Surpassed Our Wildest Dreams”
Erika Kirk Delivers Moving Tribute at White House as Trump Awards Charlie Presidential Medal of Freedom
British Food Influencer ‘Big John’ Detained in Australia After Visa Dispute
ScamBodia: The Chinese Fraud Empire Shielded by Cambodia’s Ruling Elite
French PM Suspends Macron’s Pension Reform Until After 2027 in Bid to Stabilize Government
Orange, Bouygues and Free Make €17 Billion Bid for Drahi’s Altice France Telecom Assets
Dutch Government Seizes Chipmaker After U.S. Presses for Removal of Chinese CEO
Bessent Accuses China of Dragging Down Global Economy Amid New Trade Curbs
U.S. Revokes Visas of Foreign Nationals Who ‘Celebrated’ Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
AI and Cybersecurity at Forefront as GITEX Global 2025 Kicks Off in Dubai
×