We all know people who are still robust and active in spite of their old age. More often than not, they look after their grandchildren, spouses or siblings or even just neighbours. Some who have offspring with disabilities care for them till they themselves need looking after. All society can be proud of such citizens. This week, I experienced this national spirit of solidarity first-hand.

I have a series of ‘thank yous’ to make, starting with the residents of the government’s old people’s home in Mtarfa. They gave me a wonderful present when I visited them; they wanted to show solidarity with another vulnerable section of society I am responsible for and presented me with a cheque, asking me to present it on their behalf at the next fund-raising marathon in aid of the church charity Dar tal-Providenza. That, for me, is active old age and I wish to thank the management and staff of the Mtarfa Home for fostering the spirit of social solidarity and taking care of their residents so well.

Thanks go to my Prime Minister and my colleagues on the Cabinet of Ministers for supporting my proposal for the opening of a new Independent Living Home for people with disability in Gozo. This approval gave my secretariat authority to immediately start looking for private property that could be converted for such use. This is the fourth of such announcements in the last few days and shows that we are a dynamic government that makes good its electoral promises. We are moving fast from page to action. The first model home in Siggiewi is being adapted for use by people with disability for independent living and will receive its first residents by the end of this year.

Currently, a number of properties are being assessed by government architects to verify their adaptability for similar projects all over Malta. Of course we want Gozo to receive such attention as well. Our government is all set to make society understand the importance of putting old parents’ minds at rest that society will look after their disabled offspring and parents and relatives needing care.

Maltese society unfortunately has suffered too long thanks to a series of broken promises. Some may find it hard to believe that a government is capable of delivering what has seemed unattainable for so many years. We are positive and we want people to be positive also and have faith in themselves.

Through our National Focal Point for the implementation of the UN Convention on rights of Persons with Disability, this week we organised a dissemination event at the Hal Far Day Centre for Persons with Disability. We wanted this event to be close to the citizens who already use these facilities, so all concerned participate directly in this mini-revolution of national attitude towards the deserving. At the seminar we had a Focal Point from each and every ministry so that the needs of people with disabilities can be addressed in a holistic manner.

My thanks go also to my colleague, Parliamentary Secretary Dr Stefan Buontempo who joined me in the launch of an Outreach Service for older persons by virtue of which social workers will visit older persons who live on their own every week. We have started a pilot project in four towns, namely Qormi, Isla, Dingli and Mellieha, and the plan is to have this Outreach Service available in all towns and villages in Malta and Gozo up and running next year. The government is committed to ensure that our older citizens have an active life, with relative life-long learning and contribution to the well-being of society. If we all adopt this altruistic attitude we will have a happy society.  Those who love the old and the disabled in their youth will be grateful for the national attitude when they will need care themselves.

This is a nation that cares. Solidarity is our motto.

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