Elderly voters can probably count on one thing no matter who wins the General Election: they'll be represented in the House of Assembly by someone who knows what it's like to be a pensioner in Bermuda.

Well into her 70s, Shadow spokeswoman for seniors Louise Jackson has been the oldest member of the House of Assembly for some time and is known for commenting passionately on behalf of her fellow elders.

The current Minister responsible for the elderly, Wayne Perinchief, turned 65 not long ago — and says he knows only too well the frustrations people of a mature age can face.

He said he personally felt discriminated against when told he had to retake his driving test because of his age, even though he had not had any accidents. Both say seniors' issues are a major part of their parties' platforms.

The United Bermuda Party's draft mandate Agenda For Change states if elected the party will act decisively to plug gaps in healthcare coverage; provide safe, affordable housing; improve pension benefits; and secure better human rights for seniors.

It pledges to:

• provide basic healthcare, free prescription drugs and eyeglasses for every senior in need

• aggressively pursue healthcare and insurance reform

• work with private sector to develop new health-related insurance products for seniors

• explore ideas for improving "catastrophic" healthcare coverage

• implement automatic annual contributory pension increases tied to cost of living

• explore possibility of a medical pension plan and further benefits of HIP

• support development of affordable assisted-living facilities for seniors and launch family based Housing-at-Home programme

• implement without delay recommendations for higher standards of care in home healthcare, rehabilitation centres and rest homes

• prohibit age discrimination and create office for a Seniors Advocate

• work with banking community to initiate a scheme of reverse mortgages.

The Progressive Labour Party has not yet released its mandate, but several elderly-related pledges were made in the Throne Speech hours before Premier Ewart Brown called the General Election, including elder protection, better pensions and a review of health insurance.

The Throne Speech pledged:

• introduce Elder Protection Legislation to complement the Elder Abuse Register, with a view to informing the development of programmes, models, and initiatives that measurably decrease the incidence of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation

• amend the Contributory Pensions Act 1970 to remove features of the Act that have precluded seniors from accessing their pensions as a result of failing to apply for a benefit within a prescribed time period

• provide for an interest rate of five per cent per annum to be applied to refunds of contributions, and survivors benefits to be paid to dependent children up to the age of 18 years in the event that there is not a surviving spouse to receive the benefit

• amend the Government Fee Regulations to allow Government fees to be waived for senior citizens for birth, death and marriage certificates when they are required in certain circumstances

• review the Government Employees Health Insurance Scheme so that eligibility for continuation of benefits following retirement is better aligned with the needs of retired public sector workers.