Caring for the Island's aging population has become a community crisis, Trimingham Trust members declared yesterday.

But some members of the private sector are attempting to fill the gap in providing for the elderly.

This was evident yesterday during a dedication ceremony for an acute medical care facility at Westmeath Rest Home on Pitt's Bay Road, Pembroke. Fundraising committee chairman John McCulloch noted the recent attention that the Island's elderly population have received via the media.

According to Mr. McCulloch, a growing number of patients who did not need extended care were admitted to the Extended Care Unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

He referred to the resulting lack of available extended care in Bermuda as "the silent crisis''.

Health and Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira admitted that demands for skilled nursing care were not able to be met by existing facilities.

And Dr. Terceira commended the efforts by the private sector to respond to the community's needs.

Trimingham Trust member Roderick, his wife Peggy, received special recognition for their initiative and monetary support.

The Fergusons donated $200,000 in support of the new facility.

The initiative was blessed by Anglican Bishop Ewen Ratteray at the ceremony.