A charity that supports the island’s ageing population will offer simple tips to help navigate Bermuda’s cost of living.

Mercedes Pringle-DeSilva, who was appointed the executive director of Age Concern Bermuda last month, considers the high daily expenses the to be the biggest problem facing senior citizens on the island.

She said: “That issue will probably not be going anywhere and will probably get worse as years go by, but preparedness is all there is at the moment.

“It’s something as simple as telling people when the discount days are so that they are not spending unnecessary money, or educating our seniors about their benefits and entitlements in advance.

“We want everybody to flourish and have a good quality of life and know where to go for what they need when they need it.”

The approach is part of the organisation’s 2023-2026 strategic plan, which was formed around feedback from the public.

Ms Pringle-DeSilva said: “We asked our affiliate members what is it you feel like you need to know the most?

“They all astoundingly came back with benefits and entitlements and what is coming to us.

“So we’re trying to partner with individuals within Government who do these services themselves as their jobs.”

CG Pharmacy and Verity Dental will host a workshop at the charity’s Admiralty Lane headquarters on May 31, from noon to 2pm.

Improving the charity’s website and social media presence is also part of the new plan.

Ms Pringle-DeSilva said: “We’re definitely working on [our website] and want to be able to put as much free information on it as possible so people can check it with frequent questions and have them answered before having to call us.

“We’re working really hard on creating different scripts for different needs, so that will be something that we look to push out on a regular basis as well.”

Topics could include care giving, financial support and the programmes available to seniors.

Ms Pringle-DeSilva said Age Concern also planned to be more in tune with the community’s needs going forward.

She added: “We’re definitely looking to engage more with seniors themselves.

“Obviously post-Covid, we are trying to get people back out again, that looks like reaching out to our socially isolated population a little bit more.”

The charity is also looking for different ways to raise money and partner with other organisations.

Ms Pringle-DeSilva said: “We need a new [fundraising] plan and do not want to miss out on things that are available.

“We want to be well educated ourselves and know what's going on, that's something that we are very keen to do.”

Ms Pringle-DeSilva, 29, who said she loved being at Age Concern, encouraged other young people to consider working with and helping out senior citizens.

She said: “The younger generation lose a lot by not interacting with individuals of any different age brackets.

“It’s important for us to look up to [older people] and listen to the advice they have.

“History is so important and on a small island like this, where it might not be written down, it is in their heads and they know it.”

• To learn more about or donate to Age Concern Bermuda, visitwww.ageconcern.bmor call 238-7525

• UPDATE: this article has been amended to confirm that Verity Dental is the firm that will be co-hosting the workshop on May 31