yesterday.

It follows concern at the increasing number of the world's elderly.

The World Organisation of Care at Home and Hospice was formed at the Princess Hotel in Hamilton yesterday. The group plans to meet in Bermuda every June.

Nine countries were represented by health care workers at the two-day conference, which ended yesterday.

They were Bermuda, America, Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, France, Holland, and Belgium.

President of the group is Mr. Henk Tjassing, from Holland.

The meeting was the brainchild of Mr. Val Halamandaris, president of Washington's National Association of Home Care.

Yesterday he explained the need for increased home health care.

"The good news is that more people are living longer these days, but the bad news is that there are more disabled people as a result.

"And there are more people needing help and assistance to remain independent in their home.'' Mr. Halamandaris said he hoped delegates from around the world could exchange ideas.

He added home care was expanding rapidly in America.

"It is the fastest part of the health care system. It is growing extremely rapidly.'' Among the many benefits was the lower cost of treatment at home than in hospital, he said.

It was also a fact, he said, that one out of five people entering hospital suffered complications unrelated to their original illness.

This was partly because they came into contact with other diseases, said Mr.

Halamandaris.

"Home care also helps preserve the family, while institutional care can shatter the family.'' Mr. Halamandaris said three main groups in America were pressing for more home treatment.

They were the "baby boom'' generation, the elderly, and the disabled.

Mr. Halamandaris added old folk were not the only ones who benefited from home care.

Mrs. Ann Smith Gordon, chairman of Patients Assistance League and Service (PALS), is Bermuda's representative on the group.

Yesterday she said: "I think this organisation is a very exciting concept for the world.

"It is also a great honour for Bermuda to be host for this first conference.'' Mrs. Gordon said she had been asked to be a member of a steering committee responsible for drawing up the group's rules and constitution.

She added Bermuda already looked after its sick well -- although there was always room for improvement.

PALS, for instance, cared for between 60 and 80 cancer patients in their homes, she said.

"We have got a lot of people who are very generous in supporting us.'' FORCE FOR GOOD -- Steering committee members of the World Organisation for Care at Home and Hospice are (from left): Mrs. Ann Smith Gordon, Mr. Val Halamandaris, Ms Peggy Galloway, Sen. Frank Moss, Mr. Michael Sorochan, and Mr. Henk J. Tjassing.