An effective policy making process entails continuous contact with stakeholders, NGOs and people involved in the relevant sector. This week, we had more meetings with organisations for the elderly, which was another splendid opportunity to hear their different opinions. I never cease to be amazed by our energetic and active older persons who, given the opportunity, are more than willing to continue to contribute to society and be active in different aspects in the community. I met the members of Kunsill Nazzjonali ghall-Anzjani and Fondazzjoni Nanniet Malta, both organisations are full of ideas and willingness to implement our programme. They gave also gave their valuable input and ideas about initiatives they would like to undertake. They also submitted proposals for future collaboration with us

These proposals are fully in line with the government’s Active Ageing strategy. It gives me a boost to work in this sector, knowing that more elderly people are willing to contribute and that we are slowly changing the mentality to one that our older people are a national asset

This week, I was also invited to the open day organised at one of our government homes in Zejtun. I took the opportunity of speaking with the residents and we got to know each other. We spoke about their love for the home and about their expectations. We have a lot of hidden talents in our homes, and they were very eager to show me their handmade objects. In this home there is a resident who has won the ‘Premju Anzjan tas-Sena’, an award given to an active older person, more than once.

After all, what is active ageing? Active ageing is the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life as people age. It applies to both individuals and population groups. That is what we are working on as a government and what we aim to achieve by implementing our strategic policy on active ageing published last November. Why is the term active ageing so important to us? It allows the elderly to realise their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the whole life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need it. This is also why the government has open doors for these older people to participate in the working environment. We believe in this potential. It also keeps our older persons in a healthy frame of mind.

We have their wellbeing at heart and that is why we embarked on a legislative exercise with the first piece of legislation introducing harsher penalties on abuse of the elderly. This does not just cover abuse on elderly people, but even abuse of vulnerable persons at risk of being victims of such abuse. We are therefore aiming to target abuse of the elderly, reducing it to the minimum possible. When we talk about abuse, it is not just physical abuse, as many people think. Abuse of vulnerable and elderly persons can also be physical, psychological or emotional, financial, as in exploiting a vulnerable person’s financial status, sexual abuse, neglect, abandoning a socially dependent person and abuse of the person’s rights. We are giving a very broad interpretation of abuse.

We owe respect to our elders and in times of need we must care for them. As a government, we know that residential demand is a big challenge. We have a long-term plan to increase bedding capacity and also to increase and improve our services

We are also working on the introduction of a commissioner for the elderly to further enhance the elderly’s rights in society, and who will defend their rights.

Dr Caruana is Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing