A new law which will see professional caregivers who abuse old people placed on a register has been welcomed by Age Concern — but the charity's executive director says more legislation is needed to protect seniors.

Claudette Fleming said the Senior Abuse Register Bill — tabled in the House of Assembly a week ago — would help to combat abuse of elderly people in their own homes and residential facilities by people working there if passed into law. But she believes a Vulnerable Persons Bill should also be tabled to tackle abuse or neglect by family members and others.

Ms Fleming said Age Concern was consulted on the senior abuse register and had a committee provide recommendations to Government for the first time. "I think it's a great step," she said. "I can think of a few cases that come to mind that could have used that act where people have gotten off or been convicted of crimes and been allowed to return back to the fold. This type of act will prevent that."

She added: "This is a great step in the right direction but I don't want the public to think it's the end. It's not the panacea by any stretch of the imagination.

"It will only deal with professional care. It won't catch family members. Obviously seniors are being cared for by family members. People have stewardship, responsibilities, such as lawyers. We are in need of an act that protects people in a comprehensive way."

A Vulnerable Persons Bill could see prosecutions brought about in cases like that of "Auntie Em" — the 95-year-old widow whose alleged neglect by her own family was revealed in The Royal Gazette last September. Criminal charges have never been brought against those accused of mistreating her.

Ms Fleming said: "We do need to recognise that there are offences that take place that are not necessarily criminal acts but they are harmful, for example mismanagement of a senior's finances."

She said she understood that legislation had already been drafted to combat other forms of abuse but did not know if or when it was likely to be tabled.

Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler, who resumed responsibility for seniors last month when the Government Ministries were rearranged, said yesterday he was not sure if a Vulnerable Persons Bill had been drafted.

He said Cabinet had not seen one and he had asked his Ministry about it but had not yet received an answer. "I can't say yet because this (the Senior Abuse Register Bill) was the first critical piece (of legislation) and then the rest of it is being worked at," he said.