A Dementia Care Directorate that will be in charge of overseeing and coordinating the implementation of current and future national strategies, which aim to improve people’s quality of life with dementia and their carers, has been established by the Ministry for Active Ageing.

Minister for Active Ageing, Jo Etienne Abela, explained that 2015, Malta launched the first National Strategy for Dementia called ‘Empowering Change’ and a high percentage of this strategy is now implemented.

He said that the Directorate of Dementia Care will be working collaboratively with NGOs, the private sector and voluntary services to continue the effective implementation of this strategy. This is in order to continue to provide a quality service and continue to increase awareness about this condition.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that the effects of dementia are considerable and can even be devastating. He pointed out that the vision of this new directorate is that people living with this condition and those people who take care of them, receive all the support and services they need.

The directorate will be reviewing the current services that are being offered for people with dementia, such as the National Dementia Line (1771), the Dementia Intervention Team and the Dementia Activity Centres, so that they give the best service possible.

The directorate will also be working so that there is more awareness about this condition and the related risks, both for those who take care of their family in the community and for those who work in the care of this condition.

The Directorate for Dementia Care can be contacted by email on dcd.aacc@gov.mt or by calling 22788900.

Permalink: New Directorate to oversee and implement national strategies for dementia