One of the Island's leading senior citizens and advocates for the elderly has thrown his support behind Government's plan to revamp rest and nursing homes.

Sir John Plowman said he approved of plans to potentially spend millions renovating or expanding the St. George's, Pembroke, and Sandys Parish rest homes.

But the long time Paget resident said he was disappointed to learn a new Post Office for the Parish would be delayed to fund the rest home project.

"It's a great disappointment that the Paget Post Office would be delayed again,'' Sir John said. "But it shouldn't be related to the very good news that action will be coming on the rest homes.

"As we all know the conditions are deplorable and this is well overdue. Of course I support it. I have advocated a review and proper facilities for a long time.'' He added: "It's well known that Age Concern has been calling for this for years.'' The delay of the new Post Office would mean continued congestion in the three-car parking lot at the current site, he said.

Sir John said: "People going to the Post Office still have to reverse into one of the busiest stretches of road. People will have to put up with more inconvenience.'' Sir John said the Island's older population continues to grow in size and their numbers will have to be addressed some day.

"But we have got to get away from the notion that this is where you go to get a certain kind of care,'' he said. "But seniors can lead full and vibrant lives. They need things that can keep them occupied.'' Anyone who has doubts about the conditions at the rest homes should visit them, Sir John said, and he called for Government to do more for seniors.

"The other aspect of all this is that we have never had proper legislation governing how rest homes and nursing homes operate and are maintained,'' he said. "I would be happy if in the very near future they would publish and properly enforce the regulations to the new seniors Act.''