Continued from Saturday

Opposition Leader Kim Swan then praised the work of Shadow Health and Seniors Minister Louise Jackson. "It's persons like Ms Jackson who do seniors proud," he said.

He said that with the rising cost of living and health care, many seniors were "hurting". "We have got to find a way to make Bermuda far more affordable for our seniors," he said.

"We need to value our seniors. They have made the sacrifice and so why should they be denied?

"In such a growing population and in such a society where the economy has been such, our people are finding it hard to make ends meet so we do need some advocacy so they can cope. Our senior population is growing as it is."

Junior Minister of Justice Michael Scott then praised Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler for presenting the report to the House.

"It's a mark in the road for guidance for this Government some ten years into the governance of these islands," he said.

Acknowledging Mr. Swan's remarks, he said: "People are hurting but our response to the cry of seniors has been a response of great provenance. We have not turned a deaf ear to seniors."

He said Finance Minister Paula Cox had "given a consistent, conscious response to the needs of seniors".

He added: "And Ewart Brown has been responsive to the expenses of health care, culminating in FutureCare.

"We have not been unresponsive on this front."

Mr. Scott said: "I will use all my efforts to shape in law protection – a protection investment act. There's an opportunity for justice and legal policy to be shaped to recognise the legacy of land holdings in the hands of many of our seniors.

"The report speaks of 73 percent of home ownership. This is an incredible legacy, and this report is a guideline for us.

"The report should help us shape further policy, that is what it is there for."

He said Government had brought in "creative and innovative" solutions for the needs of seniors, such as FutureCare and the 100 homes at Rockaway.

"Healthcare and affordable housing have been the two major areas of focus for our seniors.

"We accept we have not completed the journey and there are seniors in this country who are experiencing challenging health care, housing and accessibility issues but the Government, now going into our 11th year, has been receptive to this after years of neglect.

"And I think we can hold up our record as a record on which we can be proud."

He said Government was now looking to introduce emergency shelters, free day care, continuing care units and independent residential units for people with Alzheimers.

"We are looking at these initiatives all the time," he said. "Public private partnerships can be employed to help."

Mr. Scott added: "I'd like to thank Minister Butler and his team for providing us with some statistics in which to base future policy."

Pat Gordon-Pamplin, Shadow Minister of Works and Engineering, said some seniors can't afford food but are too proud to admit it.

She said the problem with reverse mortgages is that some seniors would prefer to go hungry than give up the deeds to their house.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome complained that all he had heard were "contrary remarks" from the Opposition. However, he said that of around 8,400 seniors in Bermuda, only 444 were on Financial Assistance. There are 3,100 who were on the HIP health care plan but are now on the upgraded Futurecare plan, he said.

Shadow Minister of Education Grant Gibbons said some seniors may be entitled to Financial Assistance but are too proud to ask for it. And, he pointed out, Government has promised Futurecare for all seniors.

Government backbencher Zane DeSilva said: "I can very confidently say that in my travels, not only in my constituency but around Bermuda in general, I am constantly reminded what a great job this Government is doing for its seniors."

He pointed to the millions of dollars in profit that Bermuda's insurance companies make each year and suggested they should be asked to assist with programmes and with addressing concerns about seniors.