On Friday, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi officially opened a night shelter for the elderly in St Vincent de Paul in Luqa that can accommodate up to eight people. This is the third facility of its kind the government has opened in recent years following those in Żejtun and Mellieћa.

In his address, Dr Gonzi spoke at great length on the government’s initiatives to encourage the elderly to remain living in the community rather than in a residential home. He said that in recent years the government has opened 19 day centres that cater for over 1,500 people, while providing other services such as Telecare, Meals on Wheels, CommCare and free lessons in ICT for the elderly. The Prime Minister also referred to the €300 allowance that has been granted from this year to all octogenarians still living on their own or with their family.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly Mario Galea said that the mortality rate in St Vincent de Paul in recent years has dropped by six per cent. He added that during this legislature the government increased the number of beds available in residential homes for the elderly by 860. Mr Galea paid homage to Mary Anne Bugeja, a practice development nurse who passed away recently at the age of 37.