The training and re-training of all the staff involved in the care of the elderly has been a major task on my agenda since taking office. I constantly insist that the services provided must be of the highest standard. We invest a lot in such training, fully aware that caring for older people continuously demands further professionalism. Our staff are the front-liners in providing what government intends offering on behalf of the nation and we are always encouraging all our staff to take up such training. Apart from providing self-enrichment and job satisfaction, it leads staff to acquire a stronger sense of belonging with the whole list of services they provide and better bonding levels with the people they serve.
So far we have secured accreditation with the University of Malta and the National Commission for Higher Education. Through the highest available EU funds we have so far trained around a thousand members of staff in the public sector serving the elderly and people with disabilities. Apart from purchasing the necessary equipment, we have also established an in-house training centre at St Vincent de Paule. This confirms our unfailing commitment to our collaborators to fully develop their professional careers towards high quality services. In so doing we do not pretend to be perfect, as we are conscientiously and continuously attentive to what people need and we are committed to deliver.
The National Strategy for Dementia
At the very beginning of the New Year we moved one step forward. We are sponsoring public service and public sector employees to read for a Master’s degree in Ageing and Dementia Studies, offered by the Department of Gerontology, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta. This is an initiative on behalf of the Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing. It meets a fundamental recommendation inherent in the National Strategy for Dementia in the Maltese Islands: 2015-2023 which clearly states that good quality care for people with dementia can only be guaranteed through the provision of continuing and graduate educational programmes that bestow special importance to challenging behaviour and palliative care.
This initiative compliments other ongoing training measures to ensure that health and social care staff involved in the direct care and management of people with dementia have the necessary qualifications, skills, training and continuous professional development to provide and sustain high-quality support. Building a fair society is part of the government’s main agenda. We have a mission to accomplish and we are determined to go ahead with our call of duty: serving Maltese and Gozitans alike to the best of our ability, within time and budget frames, and – most importantly – to the highest levels of services our people deserve.
Over and above what governments are expected to secure, we aspire to identify the family and individual’s welfare requirements and constantly strive to improve them, through various innovative services applicable to a myriad of different circumstances. With eyes and ears constantly open to whatever challenges and requirements come along, this government is fully committed to finding tangible solutions rather than fabricating attractive slogans for short-term pseudo enjoyment.
Constant watch and listening
We have also started the new year with implementing the live-in carer pilot project, a major commitment made in the budget for 2016. This is tangible proof that this is a government that listens to people’s needs. We listened and answered the appeal of older people wanting to continue living in their family home with that little extra support and care. Besides meeting the wishes of many older people, the project will also increase job opportunities in the care of the elderly sector. Given the demographic and life expectancy upward trends, there will be a growing demand for trained carers. It is very positive that, in the few days since the inception of this pilot project, the department has received more than 300 enquiries and is already processing the first applications.
While taking stock of our own people’s needs and diligently diagnosing the originating roots of various difficulties, we keep a constant watch on what international and local statistics indicate and immediately seek solutions. Gone are the days when governments could conveniently and comfortably dream of fooling people with colourful clichés and attractive but empty promises!
The World Health Organisation and Alzheimer’s Disease International, have long recommended that all state programmes should focus on improving early diagnosis, raising public awareness, reducing stigma, providing better care and providing real support to carers. We have immediately started increasing public awareness about dementia and providing the necessary care. We are leaving no stone unturned to reduce the burden of dementia on those suffering from it and their families. Their first enemy is the lack of information, which fuels stigmatisation and in turn contributes to the social isolation of both the person with dementia and their immediate carers – family or other close relatives.
Necessary awareness and help
Treating people with dementia and caring for them is costing the world hundreds of billions of euros every year. This includes the cost of providing health and social care as well as the reduction or loss of income of those with dementia and their carers. It is already known that currently there are around 6,000 people with dementia in our two islands and experts forecast an increase up to 10,000 by 2030.
Local public awareness about dementia has been very limited and it was vital for us to tackle such levels of public awareness and understanding, and to drastically reduce the stigma associated with dementia. My Parliamentary Secretariat moved ahead with a holistic strategy to provide tangible support. The sponsorship of courses leading to a Master’s degree is a leap forward in our handling of the dementia challenge. It gives a long-term dimension to the current immediate-term projects already in hand. The planning for new initiatives is never-ending. We have already started informative talks for informal carers – the immediate family and other relatives or friends. Community-based services can provide valuable support to families caring for these people through the Dementia Intervention Teams.
All projects need trained staff
Over and above all the logistical projects in residential homes and specialised centres, we need to have well-trained carers to ensure a better quality of life for people with dementia. Concurrently, early last year we launched the 1771 helpline, manned around the clock by fully qualified workers to assist all those who need advice and support, besides timely referral to appropriate professionals.
Other projects include an additional 25 beds for dementia residents at the Imtarfa Home and the newly established Dementia Centre at St Vincent de Paule long-term care Centre. Plans are now at an advanced stage to create a similar centre in Gozo, where we have been ensuring that all services for the elderly are also available on the sister island and I encourage Gozitans to start applying for this new service.
We all realise that dementia is a constantly growing challenge in the care of the elderly and is to be met with constantly growing knowledge and training among all those involved. Sponsoring public employees for this Masters degree is indeed a further step towards having more qualified professionals within the spectrum of services we intend providing. With this in mind, the Degree of Master of Arts in Ageing and Dementia Studies is on a part-time basis and lectures will be delivered after normal office hours. The closing date for applications is Friday, 22 January 2015 and details can be found on: http://www.um.edu.mt/newspoint/news/features/2015/11/masterdegreeinageinganddementiastudies.
We are here to serve the country in the best interests of its people. This sponsorship of Masters’ courses is a direct invitation to all others to come forward and join hands!