Age Concern’s executive director has outlined the island’s progress in managing its ageing population.

Claudette Fleming highlighted the Bermuda Health Plan, the Long-Term Care Plan and improvements in health insurance coverage, as well as Age Concern’s work, at a two-day United Nations Economic Convention.

But Dr Fleming said she also learnt that Bermuda had “a long way to go” in coming to grips with its long-term care issues and the staggering cost of living among other challenges.

“I learnt a great deal and have a greater appreciation for the progress that Bermuda is making in managing its ageing population in comparison to other countries,” Dr Fleming said in a statement.

“Specifically, I was able to make reference to Bermuda’s progress with respect to the launching of a Bermuda Health Plan; its Long-Term Care Plan; improvements to health insurance coverage for seniors and the value of Age Concern’s work with respect to advocacy and information programmes such as our annual legal clinics hosted in partnership with MJM here in Bermuda.”

The two-day meeting was convened in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, from June 1 to 2, to assess the progress made in the implementation of both the San Jose Charter on the Rights of Older Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.

Dr Fleming added: “I believe my international colleagues were most intrigued by the degree to which Age Concern, as a NGO (non-government organisation), is working with government and the private sector to meet the needs of older people.

“I did observe, however, that we have a long way to go in getting a handle on our long-term care issues and the staggering cost of living in Bermuda among other challenges that threaten the quality of life of ageing residents, particularly the poor and the vulnerable.”

Dr Fleming noted that like all other participating countries, Bermuda has yet to implement a national plan on ageing, “despite the laudable goals of MIPAA and the urgent need to address the rapid ageing of its population and related implications”.

Diane Quarless, chief of ECLAC sub regional headquarters for the Caribbean, stated that Dr Fleming “provided great insight into the ageing challenges facing Bermuda which in many ways mirrors that of a number of Latin and Caribbean states”.

“In particular, we benefited from her presentation on the role of advocacy in the rights discussion and the importance of educating older adults on the responsibilities that they have in the ageing process.”

As part of the conference, Caribbean policymakers from UN member countries identified key actions to expand protection for the human rights of older persons over the next five years.

They also reported on the most important measures taken to strengthen protection for the rights of this age group, including new or improved laws, policies and programmes.

Panel discussions focused on strategies to promote healthy ageing, social and health protection and the contribution of older persons to family, community and public life.

During the final day, representatives agreed on a set of recommendations to further protect and promote the rights of older persons. These will contribute to discussions at the Fourth Regional Intergovernmental Conference on Ageing and the Rights of Older Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean, which will take place from June 27 to 30 in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Dr Fleming added: “I was delighted to have been invited by ECLAC to be a part of a very intriguing dialogue and review of the progress of the advancement of the conditions of older persons throughout the Caribbean since the 2002 adoption of the MIPAA. I am also grateful that the Bermuda Government endorsed my attendance.

“I commend all those working in Bermuda and across Latin America and the Caribbean who are striving diligently to improve the lives of older adults across the region and encourage them to continue in their efforts.”