Government is to set up a register of those who have abused the elderly to stop them again working with seniors.

Announcing the initiative yesterday, Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief said there was concern the problem could rise as the number of seniors grew.

He said: "Government has been very concerned about the care of our elderly. We aim to better protect and reduce the risk of harm to seniors through increased awareness, prevention and intervention."

Elder abuse is defined as behaviour which caused neglect, physical harm, psychological harm or financial harm to an older person.

He said the register, which is now being compiled, is similar to the child abuse register set out in the Children's Act 1998 which requires professionals working with children to report suspected cases of child abuse.

Mr. Perinchief said Bermuda's Elder Abuse Register will allow organisations to scrutinise potential employees to determining whether or not they have a record of abusing pensioners.

The register also requires increased scrutiny of the credentials and qualifications of people working with the elderly.

Mr. Perinchief said any person will be able to flag up suspected abuse however reporting will be mandatory for healthcare practitioners, social workers, clergy and adult personal care workers.

Employers in the caring services will be required to check prospective employees are not on the list and to sack anyone listed.

Protection from harassment, dismissal or retaliation will be given to persons who make a report in good faith and the list will be managed by the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged.

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson said the elder abuse register was a long-awaited start to tackling the horrible problems of abuse of seniors.

She said: "This will prevent offenders from working with seniors or being in any environment with pensioners but the largest problem is still not being addressed.

"Abusers need laws made to see to it they are punished by jail time. We need elder abuse legislation."

Last year, then-Health Minister Patrice Minors said specific legislation was not needed because "any abuse against a person should be deemed a criminal offence".

Mrs. Jackson said Government was equally indifferent to child abuse as the abuse register under the 1998 Children's Act was still not up and running in 2007.