The Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP, MP, Minister of Social Development and Seniors, addressed a vibrant and engaged audience at Age Concern’s Public General Meeting last week Thursday, September 26th at the Evangelical Church Hall, Paget. The event provided a powerful platform to recognize the contributions being made by the community to support Bermuda’s older adults and highlight the Government’s ongoing commitment to improving their quality of life. Minister Furbert delivered a heartfelt keynote address, emphasizing the importance of community-wide support for Bermuda’s ageing population.
Minister Furbert reiterated that many of the initiatives discussed stemmed from the Government’s Mid-Year Review, which reflects the significant investment aimed at creating a fairer and better Bermuda for all seniors.
“We see you. We hear you,” Minister Furbert stated. “Whether it’s lowering grocery costs, providing financial assistance for medical care, or strengthening legislation to protect against financial exploitation, our Government is committed to ensuring that Bermuda’s older adults live with dignity, respect, and security.” Minister Furbert also announced the launch of Bermuda’s first-ever National Seniors Strategy, a comprehensive roadmap to guide Government policy for the next decade, and encouraged attendees to share their thoughts on the proposed draft by the October 18th deadline.
Mercedes Pringle-DeSilva, Executive Director of Age Concern, echoed the Government’s focus on respect for our seniors, stating, “The success of our programmes speaks to our core mission: ensuring that older adults in Bermuda live with dignity, respect, and access to the resources they need. We are honoured to serve as the bridge, bringing support, education, and hope.” This sentiment was further supported by Dr. Edonna Bean, Operations Manager of Programmes at Age Concern, who spoke about the direct impact of their services.
Dr. Bean stated, “Despite challenges such as a two-month waitlist for food support, we distributed approximately $66,000 in aid this year, with $39,000 going toward direct financial support and the rest as in-kind donations for essential needs like medical bills, rent, and living expenses.” Age Concern Board Chair, Tanya Bule, highlighted a pressing issue of senior security, particularly the growing threat of fraud over the phone and online. She stated, “Seniors are increasingly vulnerable to scams and we must be proactive in protecting them," underscoring the need for continued education and vigilance in this area.
Minister Furbert highlighted the Government’s Dementia Care Pilot Programme, an initiative designed to assess and support those living with dementia and their caregivers. She also stressed the ongoing efforts to increase pensions annually, lower grocery costs through duty relief, plans for a senior day care program and healthcare access through a national health plan.
The Minister also expressed deep gratitude to the caregivers and families supporting their loved ones. “To the caregivers and families, we see the sacrifices you make, and we want you to know that you are not alone,” she said. “We must continue this work, knowing that how we treat our elders reflects who we are as a society.” As Bermuda’s ageing population continues to grow, Minister Furbert encouraged the community to actively participate in the public consultation process for the National Seniors Strategy. “Together, we will shape a future where everyone can age with dignity, independence, and security, and build a better and fairer Bermuda for all our seniors."