T
he rapid aging of Puerto Rico’s population has created an urgent mandate: we must rethink healthcare priorities and expand specialized services for our seniors. Recent U.S. Census data reveals that nearly a quarter of the island’s residents are aged 65 or older. Against this backdrop, Albizu University is championing philanthropic initiatives to expand access to mental health services for the elderly, weaving these efforts directly into its academic mission.
A New Hub for Specialized Care
A cornerstone of this movement is the Francisco Carvajal Foundation Integrated Care Center for Older Adults, located within the Mental Health Clinic at Albizu’s Mayagüez University Center. Fueled by a significant grant from the Francisco Carvajal Foundation, one of the largest the university has received for such a cause, the center aims to bolster specialized services across Puerto Rico’s western region.
“The center is a response to a pressing need in the west: limited access to integrated, specialized services for an aging population,” explains Dr. Melissa Bezares Hernández, Clinical and Training Director at Albizu University. Dr. Bezares emphasizes that rising rates of chronic conditions and mental health challenges make coordinated, culturally sensitive care non-negotiable. “At a historic moment where healthcare systems face hurdles in accessibility and continuity, this clinic offers an innovative alternative. We are prioritizing dignity, prevention, and quality of life while strengthening the region’s service infrastructure.”
“Rising rates of chronic conditions and mental health challenges make coordinated, culturally sensitive care non-negotiable”
Innovation in the Clinic and Classroom
The $150,000 grant has already transformed the clinic’s physical infrastructure, adding four individual therapy rooms and a group therapy suite, all specifically designed for senior accessibility. From this modernized space, the university will offer specialized services including psychological evaluations, therapeutic interventions, and psychoeducational programs tailored for both patients and their caregivers. These offerings are bolstered by innovative treatments, such as neurofeedback and structured cognitive stimulation programs, aimed at strengthening daily functioning. Beyond direct patient care, the center functions as a vital clinical training hub where doctoral students and professionals-in-training develop specialized competencies in geriatric care under expert supervision, ensuring a future workforce prepared for the island’s demographic shift.
The initiative is part of a line of work that Albizu University has developed in collaboration with philanthropic allies to serve the older adult population. “In the long term, this project aspires to become a sustainable and replicable model of integrated care, contributing to transforming the way the aging population is served in Puerto Rico. Likewise, it seeks to foster community and academic alliances that amplify its reach and consolidate its impact on the country’s public health,” commented Dr. Bezares.
“This project aspires to become a sustainable and replicable model of integrated care”
Fighting Isolation
An important predecessor is the Hablando Contigo (Speaking with You) initiative, developed with the support of the Triple-S Foundation since December 2024 to combat isolation and loneliness among older adults in the mountainous region. Initially conceived to serve 60 participants across seven municipalities, the program reached 116 people in its first stage, integrating mental health services, community accompaniment, digital literacy, and intergenerational activities.
In its second phase, the program will expand its reach to municipalities in the central and rural zones, including Barranquitas, Yabucoa, Cayey, and Cidra, and will provide continuity to the groups previously served in Caguas and Comerío. Additionally, new therapeutic groups will be created for older adults seeking emotional support and spaces for social connection.
The program comprises 10 socio-emotional development modules that strengthen competencies such as self-knowledge, emotional regulation, empathy, communication, and decision-making, with the goal of reducing social isolation and promoting greater community participation. It will also incorporate an intergenerational component by collaborating with high school students in Naranjito, who participate in companionship and technological support activities, thereby promoting meaningful bonds between generations and fostering empathy and civic responsibility.
A call to action
Albizu University continues to seek allies for both the Integrated Care Center and the Hablando Contigo initiative. “We invite organizations, foundations, and individual collaborators to join these efforts. Their support is fundamental to providing continuity to these projects and promoting the well-being of our communities,” explained Diani Nevares, Development Director at Albizu. Those interested in joining these projects can contact her via email at: dnevares1@albizu.edu.
