Government already invested in dementia services

Contrary to what was said by shadow Health Minister Marie Louise Coleiro and Labour MP Anthony Zammit, the government said that a large number of services are available to the elderly.

Listing its work, Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly Mario Galea said an investment of €9 million was made for a new block to be built at St Vincent De Paul hospital. The block is expected to cater for 144 elderly persons and the wards are all ‘dementia friendly’.

He added that the St Vincent De Paul activity centre also provides various services to approximately 115 seniors with the vast majority of these seniors living in the community.

The memory clinic is also available at Karen Grech Hospital where persons suffering with dementia are assessed after being referred by their doctor and helpline was set up for persons who have relatives suffering from dimentia to provide direct access to professionals according to Galea.

“Government is also committed to educating children about dimentia. A publication was distributed called ‘In-Nannu Nesa X’Jisimni’. The book contains all the ingredients so the subject will be delivered to children in the most pleasant way,” he stressed.

Apart from this, the Governmentis preparing a strategy to improve future quality of dementia care in Malta.This work is based on recommendations from the Dementia Strategy Group  founded by the same secretariat in May 2009. Once the strategy has been finalised, the recommendations will be published.

Conditions added to the Schedule V list which were considered most chronic included cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, digestive system diseases, liver disease, haematological diseases, central nervous system diseases, kidney disease, endocrine disease, skin diseases, infectious diseases, rheumatic diseases, metabolic disorders,  ocular disease, immunodeficiency and chromosomal disorders.

Referring to other investments, Galea said that two new wards were to be opened at St Jeanne Antide to cater for 64 additional patients and the Servizz ta’ Respite where relatives have the facility to take a resting period by leaving their elderly dementia sufferer for a some time at St Vincent. The Elderly Community Outreach was another investment created to support elderly still living in the community.

“All this in addition to the long chain of other services for seniors including telecare services, 18 day care centres, handyman services, Karta Anzjan, Home Help, Meals on Wheels, two night shelters, discounts on telephone lines and residences for the elderly,” Galea said.