The recently released report on Bermuda?s seniors has validated Government?s approach and commitment to the needs of seniors, Health Minister Patrice Minors said yesterday.

?The report confirms and quantifies issues that seniors themselves and helping professionals have raised about support and services to the elderly,? Mrs. Minors said.

?I also validates the path that Government has chosen and is presently pursuing in order to improve our response to seniors in this community.?

She said the report?s recommendations were in line with what her Ministry is already doing. ?The National Office for Seniors and Physically Challenged was established by this Government to be the focal point in the country for matters important to seniors,? the Minister continued.

?The Office was also designed to improve seniors? access to government services and to ensure the development of integrated programmes.?

The study, conducted by Stanford University, and paid for by the Bermuda-based charity Atlantic Philanthropies, was released this week.

It concluded that many seniors were living below the poverty line, but most owned and lived in their own homes and that services for seniors needed beefing up.

And the study revealed that many seniors did not have adequate health insurance to meet medical bills or doctors? visit.

Mrs. Minors said that the report?s recommendations ? to set up a Caregivers? Resource Center and a Health Care Information Service for seniors were being taken ?very seriously? and will be incorporated into existing health services reforms.

She said the Health Department was being restructured to improve public health services and noted the ongoing development of the Bermuda Health Council.

A ?home maintenance programme will be launched to help seniors assess their homes in order to adapt them for their changing physical needs.

?The Department of Health will also conduct wellness clinics designed to provide clinical preventative services to seniors,? she continued.

?These services will include blood pressure testing, diabetes monitoring, nutritional advice and referral services. Through prevention and early intervention we are trying to keep seniors as healthy as possible for as long as possible.?

And upcoming changes to financial assistance regulations ?will expand the financial support to seniors to ensure that they will not be disadvantaged in their golden years?.

Mrs. Minors also reminded the public that Government will be hosting the first National Health Summit and the quality of services affecting seniors will be among its discussion topics.

And the Minister invited the public to a ?pre-summit town hall? meeting planned for early next year.

?We especially urge groups such as our seniors, our young people and those citizens with disabilities to participate in this town hall meeting,? she said.

Mrs. Minors said that information gathered during recent public meetings held by the Bermuda Hospitals Board will be used in the hospital?s estate master plan and ?will impact those who will, in ten to 15 years, be seniors?.

?The Department of Health has conducted public consultations to help shape the national health goals,? she concluded. ?These goals will directly impact on the provision of health services to seniors.?

Attending the Minister?s press conference were her Permanent Secretary Kevin Monkman, Senator Walter Roban, Chief Medical Officer John Cann and Premier Alex Scott.

Mr. Scott stressed that there should be no mistaking that his administration was committed to the needs of seniors.

He pointed to pensions increases and the building of the first multi-purpose rest home in St. Georges ? a project which, he said, will be replicated in other parts of the Island.

?They are our family members and it?s the correct and responsible thing to do,? the Premier said. ?We are our brothers keepers. Let me assure you that this Government honours our seniors.?

And referring to an upcoming conference on seniors being organised by the United Bermuda Party, he said he would not hesitate to embrace good ideas coming from the Opposition.

?I am as much behind what they are doing as if I were a member of the Opposition,? Mr. Scott said.

?This Government will look to where we can work together. If we do it right ? and there is no reason why we cannot, no matter what Government follows this PLP Government, they will have to follow with a social agenda.?