A legal notice implementing new social standards, regulating the operations of long-term homes for the elderly will be published in the coming days, Minister for Senior Citizens and Active Ageing Michael Farrugia said.

He made this statement while being presented with the annual report drawn up by Commissioner for Older Persons Mary Vella for the year 2020.

The minister said that the lessons learnt during this period have contributed to its publication. "Furthermore, new services have been introduced while we were also, during this time, committed to strengthening the quality of the existing services," he added. 

He said that during this year there was a commitment to vaccinate as many senior citizens as possible. The minister thanked all those who contributed to the mass vaccination exercise, so that senior citizens who still live in the community, others who are housebound, and others who live in government, Church, private homes, and St Vincent de Paul, could receive the vaccination.

"We are working towards a better future for all our elderly," Minister Farrugia added.

Commissioner for Older Persons Mary Vella said that her role is primarily to promote the well-being of the elderly, so they can enjoy a better quality of life. She said that her commitment during 2020 was extraordinary, difficult, and unprecedented.

"Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, I continued to pursue my role of educating, promoting, and ensuring that the rights of senior citizens are safeguarded while setting benchmarks for departments and agencies. It is important that we continue to collaborate with all entities so that as a team, all efforts will be channelled in the best interest of our senior citizens," the commissioner concluded.