Shadow Minister of Health, Louise Jackson claims the abuse of senior citizens in Bermuda is widespread and fears that plans by Government to establish an Elder Abuse Register will not go far enough.

Miss Jackson was reacting to news in the Throne Speech that Government plans to create a register, which would name people who have a record of abusing seniors.

The Register would be allow organisations to scrutinise potential employees to determine whether or not they have a record involving the abuse of seniors.

Miss Jackson said: "The abuse of our seniors is rampant. The idea of a register is ridiculous. What we need to have is legislation."

She charged that seniors are not safe in some of Bermuda's rest homes.

"Elder abuse is happening right in the rest homes. We need legislation to regulate what is happening in the homes. Government needs to clean up the rest homes and needs to make the health and safety of our seniors a priority," she added.

The Executive Director of the Island's largest advocacy groups for seniors welcomed news of the Elder Abuse Register.

Claudette Fleming of Age Concern said Bermuda's seniors need protection.

She said some seniors are financially vulnerable because of the high cost of living in Bermuda.

"A lot of a senior citizens own their own homes.

"They are property rich but cash poor and often times they have to barter and bargain with their family members or others in order get a cash flow from their assets.

What happens in the process is that they barter away their homes, which is the only asset they have.

"As a medical social worker I have also come across cases where seniors have been neglected and not cared for properly. They are not fed and are physically abused as well."

Ms Fleming said legislation to protect senior citizens is desperately needed.

"When people think of elder abuse they tend to think it is just physical abuse, but it is more than that.

"We need legislation to protect our seniors' assets."

Ms Fleming said Government has to decide if Bermuda is a place where seniors can live with a decent quality of life.

"That is a serious question. I don't know if any administration to date has taken the concerns of the elderly seriously," she said.