The Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo has visited the site of St Joseph Home in Ghajnsielem, which is to be partly demolished for the construction of a new old people’s home.

The Ministry said that over the past years, Gozo had faced a growing, chronic shortage of community housing for its senior citizens.

“On Gozo, the problem is compounded by the fact that the population is ageing at an accelerated rate. There are a small number of homes run by religious organisations, that with courage and great sacrifices. take care of a few hundred senior citizens, but what they provide is far less than the demand.”

Those less fortunate have to if possible, go into the shelter provided by the Gozo General Hospital. The men and women separated from each, with no married couples facilities available.

The Minister said that when he was given the responsibility as the Minister for Gozo, one of the first things that was acquired the St Joseph Home from the Gozo Diocese, previously an orphanage,

This was made possible by the Bishop of Gozo, who was well-aware, that the Government needed to provide a decent home for the elderly in Gozo, which will enable them to live life independently, in a wonderful environment, while also being given a quality service to be able to live a comfortable life.

Both parties had agreed that the Gozo Diocese willl provide all religious services that are necessary, desirable or required by elderly residents in the home.

These services include, among others, the celebration of two Masses every day in the morning and afternoon, pastoral exercises depending on the time of year, as well as festive celebrations and functions. For this purpose there will be a priest present for ten hours a day all year round.

Following intensive work by the architect from the Ministry for Gozo, plans for the retirement home of 70 (seventy) rooms with two beds in each room, were approved by MEPA earlier this month.

The Architect Angelo Portelli explained that the new facilities will be integrated with the exisiting old buildings already in the area, i.e the residences of Fort Chambray.

The old building within St Joseph Home will be renovated, while another, that has no historic or architectural value, will be demolished to make room for the new development. .

All rooms will have en suite facilities, including facilities for tea and coffee, with balconies that will have the wonderful views of Fort Chambray, Xatt l-Ahmar, the Gozo Channel across to Malta and the Gozo countryside. The proposed development is facing south.

The facility is specially designed both for people who are still mobile as well as for those who have mobility problems, including wheelchair users. The facility has been designed under the guidelines of access for everyone.

The Ministry said that an important factor in a facility like this is the integration of public social spaces throughout the house. The external areas of the building are also landscaped.

The home will be divided on three floors with underlying basement parking, and the public spaces are a doctor’s clinic, restaurant, chapel, office, hairdresser, library, and administrative area, among others.

This project will create a space where the elderly, including married couples, can live together in harmony and in a safe place. This project will create new opportunities of work in Gozo for Gozitans, the Ministry said.

The Minister for Gozo concluded by saying that, “without any exaggeration, we can say that we are providing the first state of the art development in the field of elderly care on the island.”

Photograph: MGOZ/George Scerri

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