If all senior citizens were given the chance to voice their opinion about where they wanted to live, most would likely stay at home. It's the place they raised their families, memories were made, and most importantly where they feel safe, secure and comfortable.

The Age Concern Shared Housing and Help Programme offers this option to Bermuda's seniors.

It encourages two or more unrelated people to pool their resources and share a home.

"Increasingly, both senior and younger citizens are looking for inexpensive lifestyles which allow them to maintain self sufficiency and control of their lives,'' coordinator of the programme, Janet Jackson, recently told The Royal Gazette .

She added that shared housing is a much more attractive proposition for older people who otherwise might find themselves living in substandard housing or searching for room in a retirement home.

"Many people are afraid of making the changes which will strengthen the quality of their lives, but those who have been courageous enough to participate in shared housing have found numerous advantages,'' Mrs. Jackson said.

She stated that the important thing about shared housing is the scheme is flexible and the living arrangements can be adapted to suit the needs and desires of those involved.

Normally though, each of those involved has his or her own bedroom, and share common areas such as the kitchen and living room.

"In the process of sharing, people realise that they are strengthened by the experience. They learn there is no dependence, or independence, only interdependence,'' Mrs. Jackson said.

She added there is only one inflexible rule in the Shared Housing Programme, and that is that one of the people involved must be a senior citizen.

"A lot of people don't know about shared housing because a lot of people don't know what Age Concern is,'' Mrs. Jackson said.

She added: "Age Concern is a committee of volunteers from various professions in the community, some of which are health care related, and they advise Government on the needs of senior citizens in the community.'' Mrs. Jackson said the reason the Age Concern Shared Housing and Help Programme is so important is because "we would all like to remain in our homes until the end of our days and for many people who are unable to live independently, it enables them to do this.

"This is a good idea because there is really no place like home and you are still in control of your environment,which you are not if you go into residential care.

"We have other people who don't need a lot of care -- just help with meals and housekeeping. In that situation a sharer would have living accommodations in exchange for preparing meals and doing household chores.'' Mrs. Jackson said there are other situations where you have a perfectly able senior whose finances are stretched and they will take a sharer on a rent paying basis often providing services to the sharer.

"In one case, there was a 60-year-old provider who had an older sharer living with her for 14 years until her death, so there can be matches where there is a much older person with a much younger one. At the moment we have 23 ongoing matches, 46 people.'' Mrs. Jackson added: "There are a lot of people in the community finding it hard to pay rent and are getting divorced. This is a good programme to come into; it enables those people having problems to save money while at the same time having benefit of a companion and doing something good.'' She also said while there were not many men in the programme, there were some younger males who were sharers: "There are some seniors who only need assistance on a temporary basis until they are back on their feet again.

"Seniors need to keep an open mind because there are some very responsible young people out there -- you can have a very mature and responsible 18 year-old, age does not necessarily make a difference.'' Mrs. Jackson said the bottom line is that "if people can stay in their own home, it is far less costly than putting them in rest homes.'' One pair that has been part of the Age Concern Shared Housing Programme for four years is 45-year-old Debbie Lowe and 100-year-old Frederick (George) Beek.

"I have always had a love of older people and being single, I found moving in with brother Beek a suitable arrangement for me; I have always wanted to be involved with older people. I thought this was an ideal opportunity for myself,'' Miss Lowe said.

She added: "It has benefited me greatly. It is not like a job or a duty.

Looking after brother Beek is something I enjoy doing, it is a chance to give of yourself in love and appreciation for those senior members in the community who have given so much to us.

"I give him companionship, friendship, and understanding, and I am supportive towards his needs.'' Miss Lowe also said she considered Mr. Beek's home her home while she is there, and feels that her being there saved him from being sent to a rest home.

"This programme helps seniors to be able to stay in their own residence, where their life-long memories are, where they feel comfortable.'' Mr. Beek agreed: "Why should I have to move to a rest home when I have my own home. I had this house built so my wife and I could live in it.'' Mr. Beek's wife, Isadore, died ten years ago, at age 85.

"After my wife died, I lived alone here for two months. A family friend, Lauren King, took over my estate and saw the need for me to have some assistance. I had one person who was here for less than a year before she (Miss Lowe) came,'' Mr. Beek said.

Miss Lowe he added: "Is very good with me, she is almost a nurse. She is very loving, kind and disciplined. She is nice company for me. I wouldn't do without her. We are united.'' Miss Lowe also said the nice thing about this connection is that "we also share the same spiritual belief (which Mr. Beek attributes to his long life) -- and that is to know Jesus Christ as Lord.

"We enjoy devotional times together, reading the bible, prayer, and singing hymns. My whole time so far with him has been a greater blessing to me.

Brother Beek is a joy to be around,'' said Miss Lowe.