The Department of Elderly Affairs welcomes its director, Desireé Helder.

With a remarkable career spanning over 20 years as Head of the Department at the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Dr. Desireé Helder brings an unparalleled level of experience and knowledge that aligns perfectly with the mission of the Department of Elderly Affairs.

After completing her studies in Nijmegen, Netherlands, where she studied neuro- and rehabilitation psychology, Dr. Desireé Helder began a doctoral research project at Leiden University, focusing on the neurodegenerative disease Huntington's. This research concentrated on how patients and their families cope with the disease and manage the emotional and mental challenges it brings. In 2002, Dr. Desireé Helder earned her Ph.D. from Leiden University while serving as a university lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine.

In 2004, Dr. Desireé Helder returned to Aruba, where she took a position at the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) as a health statistician. Eventually, Dr. Desireé Helder became Head of the Projects and Research Department, and in 2018, she assumed the role of Acting Director of CBS. During her career at CBS, Dr. Desireé Helder conducted and published reports on important topics affecting our elderly, including the prevalence of disabilities, chronic disease risks, and mental health.

After an extensive process, Dr. Desireé Helder officially started as Director of the Department of Elderly Affairs on September 15, 2024. As a director, she is responsible for implementing the Ministry of Elderly Affairs' management and projects focused on the well-being, care, and participation of the seniors in Aruba. This sector accounts for 23% of our population and grows daily. The mission of the Department of Elderly Affairs is to centralize an integrated care system, providing both formal and informal care services and ensuring that our elderly receive the attention and respect they deserve.

Dr. Desireé Helder's leadership and extensive knowledge in the research and statistics field will contribute to a responsible and informed care system development and implementation for this vulnerable group.