“Ageing and end of life” will be the subject of the fifth and final ageing forum hosted by the Peace and Social Justice Committee of the Roman Catholic Church of Bermuda.

Presenters for the event at St Theresa’s Church Hall, Hamilton, on Friday, are geriatrician David Harries, Senior Advisory Council chairwoman Marian Sherratt, Friends of Hospice executive director Cathy Belvedere and Roman Catholic Bishop Wesley Spiewak.

Explaining the areas up for discussion, organisers said in a statement: “End of life is an inevitable last step for all persons, and is of particular concern for the ageing citizens in our Bermuda community. How do we as community manage end of life issues?

“Do we adequately care for these most vulnerable citizens? What is our attitude towards grief and grief relief, death and the dying in Bermuda, and how do these attitudes impact and affect us in the way we live our lives here and now?

“Does Bermuda have respect for the ageing citizens in our community, those closest to the end of life? What do we need to do now as individuals and community to improve our attitude and better prepare ourselves for the inevitable — a life which ultimately must experience death in the end.

“A community is known by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. This forum is expected to cast a light not only on the ageing persons and their loved ones, but on the whole Bermuda community as well.”

The event begins at 7.30pm.

A group think tank workshop session will also take place on Friday, July 8, to discuss social, spiritual, economic and political concerns.