What was previously the deadline for the Seniors' Test for Ageing Trends (STATS) survey has been extended beyond its January 31 cutoff and the new deadline is the end of April.

Claudette Flemming, the executive director of Age Concern, a seniors' advocacy group, announced yesterday that interviewers will continue in the field to make up for the challenges faced by the December General Election and Christmas periods.

Mrs. Flemming explained: "The month of December was challenging for our volunteers who had to compete with election canvassers also going door-to-door.

"In addition, the busy Christmas holiday season did not allow volunteers to reach the seniors they had hoped to interview. We need extra time to complete what we set out to achieve.

"We want to let the seniors know that most who have received notification will be visited in the coming weeks. Seniors are anxious to talk to us about their needs and concerns and we want to give them the opportunity to do so."

She urged seniors to remain patient as the survey has yet to be completed, adding that 1,600 seniors had been notified that they were selected as part of the sample to seniors who could not be reached for various reasons.

The STATS project has produced more than 65 volunteers, trained to the professional standard required by Government's Department of Statistics, which is a partner with Age Concern.

All interviewers are sent into the field with Police clearance, Mrs. Flemming noted, and are required to carry official identification badges and letters of appointment.

Additionally, the interviewers have been sworn to confidentiality. More interviewers are needed for the project and anyone interested in signing up is asked to call Age Concern at 238-7525.