Government needs to choose between fast ferries and better care for Bermuda's seniors, Age Concern's Claudette Fleming has challenged.

Ms Fleming spoke in the wake of news that the Matilda Smith Williams seniors' home, currently under the administration of the AME Church, is facing a serious financial deficit in excess of $100,000. Sources have confirmed the AME Church has approached Government about leasing the home, though Government and Residing Church Elder Malcolm Eve remain tight-lipped on the issue.

“The situation (facing seniors' residential homes Islandwide) is very troubling to say the least,” said Ms Fleming on Monday. “St George's, Sandys and Devonshire (rest homes) are closed. Others are struggling financially.

“It is very frightening. It is not surprising, but it is frightening that they have not yet figured out a way to economically sustain these homes.

“I don't know why the Government homes are closed. I hope it's not because of the lack of funds, with them building a new one in St. George's. I would hope they would look at fixing up the homes that are already open.”

Government has stated on previous occasions that the St. George's and Sandys Rest Homes are closed for renovations.

The St. George's Rest Home is due to re-open this year offering four levels of care to seniors.

The Sandys Rest Home is set to re-open as a respite home to care for seniors while their families travel.

However, with census figures showing an increase in Bermuda's elderly population of 25 percent in the past decade, and fears the total seniors population will rise from 11 percent to 13 percent of the total population in the next decade, the need for seniors' care - and for homes to stay open - is becoming more and more apparent.

“We are going to have to look at some kind of public funding,” said Ms Fleming.

“We have to decrease the cost barrier. We need to know what the costs really are. Does it really cost $3,500-$4,000 per month to maintain a senior? The Matilda Smith Williams home charges $3,100 per month. If that price is legitimate - which I believe it is - how then can we lower the cost barrier to that service? Because seniors cannot afford that. However, homes cannot operate unless they have that money.

“These are the hard questions Government will have to answer. How can they justify buying new ferries costing millions over adequate care of seniors?

“I have a lot of respect for the Dr. Browns of Government, they have the energy and they are doing the best they can. But in the bigger picture, there have to be some decisions about what is a priority.

“Government seniors' homes were once referred to as ‘poorhouses'. In the phone book, up until within the last five years, that is how they were listed. Do we still have a ‘poorhouses' mentality? Does Government not see the significance of preserving some sort of dignity for our own mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles?

“Government can't afford to photo-op their way out of this one. If they don't do something soon, we are going to see more and more of these places closing.

“At the hospital, and rightly so, there are concerns they are turning into a nursing home. But where can seniors go if there is no place to go? Are we creating a whole new class of homeless people? Are we setting up a new system of abuse by forcing them back into homes which cannot support them financially and physically?

“They've just legislated parenting in the education system. Is the next thing we see going to be something ludicrous like legislating care for seniors versus taking fiscal social responsibility for those who can't take care of themselves?

“We need reaction with responsibility, not scapegoating on families. You can't legislate your way out of social problems.

“Government needs prioritisation - and planning. I've used that word so much it's going to be outlawed from the dictionary.

“We also need commitment, and some accountability - not just in Government. If Government will look at the cost barriers they can hold some of the service providers accountable for their costs for the services they provide.

“And that's where we have to start.”