Throughout 2025, the Authority for Standards for the Elderly (OPSA) conducted more than 660 inspections in residences and services that provide care for older person, a statement by the government said.

This work "confirms the authority's central role in ensuring that every elderly person receives a quality service, delivered with dignity and respect, in safe and regulated environments," it said.

The Authority organised its annual conference, which served as an important platform to discuss the transformation of care standards, regulatory compliance, and innovative approaches needed to continue improving the services offered to elderly persons and to address the needs of each individual. Among the topics discussed were the training of workers in the care sector, the value of reciprocal learning between regulators and service providers, as well as the need to continue building a culture of respect and active participation in the life of every elderly person, at every stage and in every condition.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela explained how OPSA, established through a legislative act in 2023, ensures that all elderly care services in the country are provided with safety and dignity so that this age group can reach its fullest potential. "When OPSA was established, we never intended for this authority to be a kind of police force; rather, we wanted a regulator that safeguards the quality of services through dialogue, consultation, and reforms," Abela said.

For his part, Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, the Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing, stressed that "when we strengthen monitoring and regulation, we are not limiting ourselves to enforcement, but sending a clear message that the state has a moral obligation to offer not only care, but a quality of life worthy of every elderly person. This is also part of our vision for Malta 2050, to continue building a care system that recognises every stage in an elderly person's life: from activity and independence, to home care, institutional care, and even palliative services, with an approach that always keeps the person and their dignity at the centre."