It is widely accepted that the elderly do far better living in the familiar surroundings of their own homes rather than in institutions and rest homes, but there also comes a point when age and infirmity preclude living alone, even though their minds may be sharp.

Such is the case of long-time resident Somerset resident Iona Maxwell. Featured on page 361 of photographer Ann Spurling?s book ?Nine Parishes?, Mrs. Maxwell was born in Trinidad in 1909 and came to Bermuda in 1929. Her working life included waitressing, chambermaid and cleaning duties and being a family maid.

She also worked at Kindley Field, making the daily round trip from Somerset by moped, and at the US Naval Base in Southampton.

A strong believer in trade unions, Mrs. Maxwell became involved in the Gordon movement, which ultimately led to the formation of the Bermuda Industrial Union. She was an active campaigner for the PLP, from whom she received two certificates of merit.

Now 97-years-old, she is in temporary accommodation at a West end rest home following treatment in hospital for dehydration, but longs for the day when she can return to the little cottage she loves ? this time with a live-in caregiver.

However, Mrs. Maxwell will have to wait a while for that to happen because the house is in need of repair and refurbishment ? a project that is being masterminded by a concerned friend, who is relying on volunteers, donations and goodwill to get the job done.

When this friend, who asks to remain anonymous, was alerted by a care giver to the condition of the home while Mrs. Maxwell was in hospital, she was appalled.

?Due to a leak in the roof, there was a hole in a ceiling and water damage in the hallway and living room. Rats and mice were running around inside, the kitchen floor was uneven, the bedroom floor was rotten, walls and ceilings were mouldy, the carpet smelled badly and there were bed sheets at the windows,? she recalls. ?There were also cracks to the outside plaster, and more.?

Not one to turn a blind eye or waste a moment, while Mrs. Maxwell was in hospital, the friend immediately swung into action. First, she got Government?s Pest Control section to deal with the rodents. Next she had an Environmental Health officer inspect the premises, who stipulated what must be done before the owner was allowed home. The list included ripping up all of the carpeting, repairing and plastering all cracks, both inside and out, as well as the water-damaged ceiling; treating all walls and ceilings with bleach to kill the mould spores and then repainting them, replacing the bedroom floor, and finally, giving the house a thorough cleaning throughout.

If this seemed a tall order, the friend, a practical, ?can do? soul, was undaunted. A contractor was found to assess all of the structural problems and agree to undertake the work ? but not for free.

In terms of the necessary materials, the good Samaritan is hoping it will all be donated. Thus far, Pembroke Paint has kindly agreed to donate paint, and the hope is that others will follow suit with lumber and replacement tiles for the kitchen sink area. Recycled carpeting, and possibly bed linen, from a hotel undergoing renovation is another hope. Works and Engineering has agreed to truck away all the old carpeting, old furniture, broken freezers, and other detritus, and Transitions Living Centre, the half-way house for prisoners preparing for release, is happy to provide volunteer labour and lend tools to help get the job done.

Someone has offered to give Mrs. Maxwell, who is badly afflicted with arthritis and gets about with a Zimmer frame, a mechanised wheelchair.

Even so, money to pay the contractor is needed, so two major businesses with charity funds are being approached in the hope that they too can help.

Meanwhile, the friend has purchased brand new drapes (Martha Stewart, no less) for $25 at a church sale, and is confident that similar economies can be effected through visits to the Barn and, hopefully, donations from individuals of other needed household items.

Age Concern was approached, but simply said it was unable to help, with no explanation.

?I am quite sure there are other seniors living in similar conditions which haven?t been brought to the attention of the authorities, but I am hoping to do what I can to get this lady back in the home she wants to be in,? the friend said.

In fact, Mrs. Maxwell, the mother of three children ? two deceased, and one living in the US ? is ?adamant? she does not want to go into residential care, or even day care. When her home is ready, a care provider will live with her.

?There is no place like home,? the friend stresses.

While another friend has power of attorney, finances are a worry, and Mrs. Maxwell has apparently made the classic mistake of so many seniors: she no longer owns her property.

?Unfortunately, she received bad local ?advice? to make over her property to her children without the privilege of lifetime tenancy, so we can?t go to the bank and borrow against the property to provide money for the repairs, which is why I am having to rely on the community?s help,? the friend said.

UBP MP Louise Jackson, an activist for seniors in Bermuda, has also been investigating the issue, and says, ?Mrs. Maxwell is a fine example of a lady who spent her life making Bermuda a better place for all of us who came behind. Unfortunately, she is suffering now as her generation did not have the advantages of a private pension plan. She has lived beyond the capabilities of Social Services to give her meaningful help with the refurbishment of her home.

?Seniors need, first and foremost, an advocate who can guide them through legal, health, social, housing, elder abuse and financial problems. Mrs. Maxwell is not alone in this miserable situation. There are many more seniors who are living in abject poverty in horrible conditions. Over half of our older seniors, 80 and older, have incomes under $12,000 a year. ?I am hoping Bermuda will open their generous hearts and help Mrs. Maxwell to get back into her cottage and enjoy life again.?