The Maltese Islands are no exception to the ageing of populations.
According to the latest Maltese Census (2011), 16.3% or 67,841 persons of the local population were aged 65 years and over. Persons aged 80 years and over numbered 14,381 (3.4%) of Malta's total population.
It is noteworthy that while at the end of the 1940s, life expectation in Malta was around 43 and 46 years for males and females respectively, in 2010 these figures reached 79.2 and 83.6 for men and women, when the European Union average reached only 70 and 78 years for men and women respectively.
Although this is good news for Malta, these statistics also mean that Malta risks being one of the European Union countries that are worst hit economically by an ageing population in 50 years' time. Suffice to say that by 2060 Malta would have to fork out 13.4% of its gross domestic product in pensions, and although Malta's population was expected to decrease by 2060, it would have nine pensioners for every 10 working citizens.
The increasing ageing of the Maltese population also implies the escalation of the need for health and care social services for both hearty and frail elders.
As part of its mandate to facilitate the services required by older generations, in October the University of Malta's Gerontology Unit will be offering a Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics.
This programme caters for students who have completed their higher education and are looking to expand their knowledge of gerontology and geriatrics through a recognised university programme. This programme of study provides a broadly based, professional, multi-disciplinary perspective on ageing, later life and older persons, while also disseminating knowledge and skills related to clinical and practical interventions with older persons.
It also sensitises the students to the application of gerontological and geriatric research findings to practice. The programme includes modules on the sociology of ageing, the psychology of later life, medical and biological aspects of ageing, income security and pension systems in old age, food and nutritional requirement of older persons, social and medical rehabilitation programmes, family dynamics in later life, and informal, community, and nursing services to persons experiencing physical and cognitive limitations.
Upon completion of the Higher Diploma, successful graduates will be able to provide higher levels of social and health care services to older persons which, in turn, will function to improve the quality of service to older adults.
Most especially, candidates will be able to meet the needs of prospective employers by being knowledgeable in embracing the roles of financial planning for older persons; engaging in case work; providing intake services and assisting in personal adjustment measures in residential/nursing care; take an active role in hospital discharges; assisting in the organisation and administration of social and related services in community care; participating in studies of age-friendly communities and aiding family networking in later life.
The Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics is offerred on a part-time basis over six semesters (three years). Lectures take place twice a week in the evening.
Application forms are available from https://esims.um.edu.mt/esims/ipp/appindex.html Detailed information on the Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics is found at http://www.um.edu.mt/socialwellbeing/overview/UHDGEGPTE-2015-6-O and by contacting the secretary of the Gerontology Unit, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta, Charmaine Agius, on email [email protected] or telephone 2340 2237.