Ponce Mayor Marlese Sifre Rodríguez presented a new municipal program on Thursday aimed at the wellbeing of older adults, called "Ponce Cuida a sus Grandes." The initiative aligns with the UN’s Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) and the municipal program "TODO PONCE JUEGA, es para todos." A central component is the "Circuito de Bienestar: Los Grandes de Ponce," combining adapted physical activity and health education services in community facilities.
In its initial phase, the program is expected to directly reach more than 23,335 older adults in the barrios of Sabanetas, San Antón, Canas Urbano, Canas, Playa, and Machuelo Arriba. Mayor Sifre said healthy aging became central to her governing agenda after an extensive population analysis, and that the program will bring zumba, Tai-Chi and exercise circuits to communities while integrating the Municipal Health Department for disease prevention and health promotion.
The plan also includes training community leaders on health and wellness topics. Sifre noted the initiative responds to Ponce’s rapidly growing senior population, which reached 41,966 people according to 2023 data. The municipality invited older adults, their families, and neighbors to join the activities.