Age Concern Bermuda has called for more safeguards for senior citizens as the island’s ageing population continues to rise.

The call from the charity came after it was revealed that reports of abuse against seniors in Bermuda have doubled in the past three years.

The charity said: “[Safeguards] include strengthening prevention, early identification, caregiver education, respite care, financial safeguarding, safe reporting pathways and timely intervention for older adults who may be experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation or vulnerability.

“It must also include a serious review of how insurance coverage can better support services such as respite care and occupational therapy, both of which can reduce caregiver strain, help older adults maintain their independence and decrease vulnerability.”

A spokesman said last week that Ageing and Disability Services received 211 reports of senior abuse in 2025-26, noticeably up from 100 reports in 2023-24 and 153 in 2024-25.

ADS expects Bermuda’s growing ageing population and better awareness of abuse to result in more reports going forward.

Age Concern Bermuda said the increase should be “treated as a serious warning sign” and expected these reports to continually go up.

The charity explained: “The rise in reports may partly reflect greater awareness and improved reporting, and that is important, but we cannot afford to assume this is only a reporting issue.

“The underlying risk factors are real: economic stress, housing insecurity, caregiver burnout, social isolation, cognitive decline and financial vulnerability are all creating conditions in which older adults may be placed at greater risk.”

It added: “Supporting an older relative should never become the responsibility of one person alone — open communication, shared planning and early identification of support needs can help reduce caregiver burnout, strengthen family relationships and ensure older adults remain at the centre of decisions affecting their lives”.

The charity highlighted how deaths have surpassed births in Bermuda and the proportion of senior citizens on the island has grown for several years.

It explained: “The systems designed to support older adults must now be resourced in a way that reflects this demographic shift.”

The statement said ADS responded to “increasingly complex” matters involving capacity, financial vulnerability, family conflict, caregiver strain, housing insecurity, long-term care needs, abuse and neglect and needed the staffing, legislative tools, specialist expertise and operational capacity required to respond effectively.

It explained: “The department responsible for older adults and persons with disabilities should be resourced at a level comparable to other key social protection agencies, including those serving children and families.

“Older adults deserve the same level of urgency, infrastructure and public investment.”

The charity added that discussing “ageing, finances, healthcare wishes, living arrangements, caregiving responsibilities and legal planning before a crisis occurs” can prevent confusion, conflict and rushed decision-making later.

The statement also urged the Government to continue to advance the Office of the Public Guardian to protect seniors and other vulnerable residents.

Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, told senators yesterday that while funding for the pilot programme was approved in 2024, it could not be enacted until the relevant legal framework, the Public Guardian Bill, was in place.

Age Concern said: “Communities also have a role to play by checking in on older neighbours, recognising the signs of abuse or neglect, and knowing how and where to report concerns safely.

“Seeking guidance early is not a sign that a family has failed, it is often the best way to preserve independence, maintain healthy relationships and ensure older adults receive the support they need before challenges become crises.”

The charity said its willingness to collaborate with the Government, ADS, families and other stakeholders to address these issues “must be met with investment and action”.