1 comment.Gozo homes for the elderly “practically full” – Gozo Minister
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Homes for the elderly in Gozo are “practically full,” however the wait for elderly people to enter from the community does not normally last more than a few weeks, said Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri.
He went on to say that in the near future it is intended to transfer approximately 120 elderly people from the Gozo General Hospital to homes in the community.
The Gozo Minister was replying to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Opposition MP Chris Said on the number of elderly people to date who are waiting to enter a home for the elderly in Gozo.
File photo: DOI
The elderly are dear people, especially those who need constant help. Each individual is a loved mother, father or grand parent or uncle or friend. I have witnessed, first hand an enormous advancement in the care, dedication and living surroundings of ‘these’ ‘second stage children’. Some are wise, some funny, others lonely and few full of live.
Yet, often, the most difficult reality is the letting go of their familiar surroundings, their room, their bed, (sometimes even their neighbours). It was easier for Night Shelter individuals to make that jump. Starting off by going to sleep at night and return to their homes made the adaptation easier.
While having a companion in the room has numerous advantages, it is often hard to match two persons, more so when there are four! A single room would be my choice when I get there.
We use the TV to baby sit our toddlers, but we cannot do this with our good aged babies. They need to walk or wheel themselves out in the garden to get some fresh air and vitamins from the sun. I applaud a dedicated group who often visits Santa Anna and play garden chores with the residents.
Maybe the visiting hours should be stretched and maybe add some exceptions. I couldn’t wait 30m once for ‘visiting Hours’ when I had a visitor from Honk Kong who wanted to see a lady at San Laurence. And yes, after some weeks she passed away, not the tourist, the elderly lady.
I applaud the present Minister Jo Etienne Abela and Minister for Gozo, Dr Clint Camilleri for their continuous support, innovation and dedication. There are many other people who are vital for the care of our cherished elderly and I also salute them. May the elderly care sector keep progressing. Remember all of you (us) who are at this side of the sector now, will soon be promoted to the ‘old age facilities’ which we are creating now. We do it not just for the elderly of today but also we are preparing our own bed.