People who suffer from dementia should not be locked indoors but should be integrated within the community, Minister for Senior Citizens and Active Ageing Michael Farrugia said as a memorandum of understanding for a day-night dementia care centre in Hal Safi was signed.

“We are introducing a day-night dementia care centre, which will be the first of its kind. This will be done together with the Hal Safi local council,” the Minister said.

This care centre will cater for people with dementia in order to raise more awareness on the disease and help such people to integrate more in the community. This initiative aims to increase life quality for persons with dementia, as more than 7000 suffer with dementia in Malta and the number is set to grow, studies show. It also aims to create a dementia friendly community and to increase awareness regarding the disease.

The Minister noted that another project in Mtarfa is being worked on, where the Government is building a day-care night shelter and facility for people with dementia.

Telecare on the move will also be introduced, where there will be cases of ‘ring fencing’, which does not enable someone to go out from a certain area so as not to get lost.

The minister also said that the Government has signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation so that carers have access with their websites “so they would have the knowledge and knowhow to deal with family members of those who deal with dementia.”

In San Vincenz, the minister also revealed that it is working to have infrastructure of radiography, with x-rays having the latest technologies.

“I augur for this project to be successful, so we realise more dementia-friendly towns. This is only the start.”