New elderly day centre inaugurated in Kirkop

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and parliamentary secretary for the elderly Mario Galea this morning inaugurated the 20th day care centre for the elderly. Stressing the difference such centres make to the elderly, Galea said that five of these centre were inaugurated all during this legislature.

"These centres are not only of solace to those elderly who are alone, but provide our elderly community with the chance to get out of the house, meet their friends and also take part in the different activities which are organized," he said.
Galea added that with the introduction of Internet and computers, the elderly were making use of Skype to connect with their relatives abroad and have also joined Facebook. "Technology is no longer a foreign concept to our elderly," he said.

He highlighted the important contribution of the elderly towards society, such as the voluntary work carried out in parishes and other events organized by the different localities. According to Galea, there were now also 10,000 persons who have reached retirement age but who chose to continue working.

"Another important contribution the elderly make is to take care of their grandchildren, allowing their children to continue working."

On his part the Prime Minister said that the elderly were and would always be important for a Nationalist government. "We were one of the firsts, if not the first, to appoint someone politically responsible of the elderly. From our limited resources, we always distributed a substantial portion to the elderly," he said.

Recounting how his mother had refused to let go of her flat in Valletta despite it being situated on the third floor, Gonzi said the elderly wanted to remain part of the community they lived in all their lives.
"And we want to make it possible for them to remain part of the community they love so much."

Gonzi said a Nationalist government was planning to increase the €300 allowance given to the elderly aged over 80 who choose to stay living in their own home. He also said that this allowance was going to be widened gradually to those aged 78 and in 2014 to those aged 75 and over. Government, he said, was also planning to increase the allowance to €500.