The shocking story of the alleged abuse of Auntie Em — as revealed in The Royal Gazette a week ago — sickened Capri Smith.

But she knows that not all of Bermuda's seniors are being mistreated. As activities coordinator at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital's Continuing Care Unit (CCU), Capri ensures that well over 100 elderly people on the Island have something to look forward to every day.

The unit houses about 130 people, the majority of them above the age of 65 and all no longer able to live independently. The oldest patient is 107. Day patients also attend. Capri's job is to give each resident the best quality of life possible with a packed programme of events.

"There's so much negative stuff going on with the elderly in terms of poverty, in terms of abuse, in terms of the way they are being treated," she told The Royal Gazette.

"Everybody has this negative image but there are positive things being done too. We have the utmost respect for seniors here."

Capri, who has a master's degree in gerontology (the study of ageing), says the physical and mental health of her clients can vary hugely. But all are assessed on arrival at CCU and a personalised activities programme worked out for them.

That means a cricket fan like Edwin McGowan, 81, will get taken to as many games as possible by Capri and her team of four staff. Residents also go to concerts and visit tourist attractions such as Dolphin Quest or the Aquarium, which a group attended yesterday .

"I assess the person and then I decide that whatever quality of life they have, that's what I'm going to give them for whatever time they have left," says Capri. "It doesn't matter who it is or what their condition is. One way or another they will have some form of recreational activity. There ain't nothing we don't do and nowhere we don't go. We participate in it all."

Capri hands over a colourful printed sheet listing the activities planned for a single month — there are more than 40 and they range from kite flying and ferry boat rides to barbecues, music therapy and bible studies.

A typical day for residents can include a massage session to start the morning, followed by a discussion on current affairs and an afternoon trip out. Later, staff might hold a bingo session or a quiz.

"The idea is to always keep them busy, keep them active" says Capri. Her passion for her patients is clear. "I love, love, love my job," she laughs, when I ask what challenges she faces. "We don't have no real big challenges. They are not always going to do what you want them to do. You have to have a whole lot of respect for their wishes and needs. If they tell me 'no', then 'no' it is."

Her enthusiasm means that a Christmas dinner becomes "a black and white ballroom" party and a Mother's Day lunch sees three elderly ladies crowned Mothers of the Year.

"We make them feel and look good," says Capri. "We make sure we put that really important caring aspect in. That's what makes the difference."

A recent barbecue for residents and their families attracted more than 90 relatives. "People told me I needed to talk more about what we are doing here," says Capri. "I just want everybody to know the positive things we are doing for our seniors here. The Continuing Care Unit is a very caring unit for the seniors."

Mr. McGowan, a retired construction worker, says he's been at the unit for more than two years and loves the trips out. "They give us nice food and other things," he says.

Former diving instructor Kevin Burke, 74, is also enthusiastic after five years in CCU. "They do a very good job for us," he says. "We go on bus rides and have barbecues like the one last Saturday. I have got a roof over my head and three meals a day. A lot of people in Bermuda don't have that."