hey call it doing a "double-shift" ? working women, and it is predominately women, who hold down a full time job at the same time as looking after an elderly family member.

But even the double-shifters have it easy compared to the triple-shifters, these are the parents who work full-time, care for a senior and look after their children.

It should come as no surprise that many of these carers eventually "burn out" because of the long hours they do and heavy responsibility they shoulder.

When these carers are no longer able to cope the growing problem of looking after Bermuda's senior manifests itself.

In some instances the carers may reduce their working day by doing only part-time work so that they can devote more time to looking after their elderly relative, but this only ends up perpetuating the problem when that carer retires and, as a result of being a part-time worker, has insufficient pension to look after themselves.

Such dilemmas were among the issues that brought together a broad cross-section of community groups and individuals with a common interest in finding solutions for Bermuda.

An entire day was spent working out strategic planning for the way forward at a Retreat on Ageing gathering in Hamilton this week and was declared a success by organisers who are now planning follow ups.

The gathering was convened exactly a year after the publishing of the Ageing in Bermuda report by Dr. Irene Gutheil and Dr. Roslyn Chernesky of New York's Fordham University.

The university's Dr. Peter Vaughan, Dean of the Graduate School of Social Services, acted as meeting facilitator.

"I hope today will move people to talk about what is possible and that some of the recommendations can be implemented," said Dr. Vaughan, speaking to before the start of the gathering, which he believes gives an opportunity for those with a vested interest in the Ageing in Bermuda report to meet and talk in a different way about solutions.

"We see this as a jump off point, as a beginning."

Marian Sherratt, project co-ordinator, said: "I'm studying women who go out to work and also care for an elderly relative over the age of 65. "That's a double-shift, and if they also happen to be a parent then they can be doing a triple-shift. Women in Bermuda must work, there are very few who do not go to work. Many of the women are divorced or separated and they are working long hours." She said that there are some men who do the same juggling act as workers and carers, but the majority in such situations tended to be women.

When the carer burns out from the strain of doing so much the elderly person's fate ranges from being shunted around other family members or going into a home.

In Bermuda more than one in ten of all Islanders is now a senior and, in line with other Western countries, that trend is accelerating.

Another participant Louise Jackson, Shadow Minister for Care Services and Cultural Affairs, said the Ageing in Bermuda report had "made everything crystal clear for the needs of seniors so we knew where the real problems are".

"The biggest problem is care-givers, there are not enough of them and families are trying to get carers or find quality and affordable care.

"This whole meeting is to see how we can go forward to address these problems and where the funding can come from."

The one-day retreat was organised by the Ageing Advisory Committee, set up in 2003, to better understand and discuss ways of following through with the recommendations in the Fordham University-produced report.

Ann Smith Gordon, chairperson of the committee, said: "Some of our older people are falling through the cracks.

"We have this report but what we do not want is for it to just be filed away and never see the light of day again. We want to see some of its recommendations carried forward."

Care co-ordination and assistance, transportation and housing modification and repairs are all mentioned in the report's recommendations.

Attending the opening of the meeting, which was hosted at the ACE Global HQ, Minister of Health and Family Services Patrice Minors said: "Our senior citizens offer rich life experience, well-honed skills, knowledge and wisdom.

"These qualities significantly contribute to the fabric of local communities.

"Our ageing population will, however, impact on planning and service delivery, spelling real and growing challenges for Bermuda.

"The change in demographics requires proactive and innovative, but also compassionate, sensitive and inclusive responses."