The National Strategy for Dementia in the Maltese Islands (2015-2023) was officially launched by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing Dr Justyne Caruana, today, Thursday, the 2nd of April, together with Dr Charles Scerri.
Dementia is a general term used to describe those brain diseases in which there is a disturbance of brain function causing problems such as difficulties with memory, thinking, communication skills and behaviour.
It is a progressive illness with patients becoming more in need of help and support in performing everyday activities. In Malta, the number of individuals with dementia in 2015 was estimated to be 6,071, equivalent to 1.5 per cent of the general population. This figure is projected to reach 3.5 per cent of the population by the year 2050.
This will bring about a significant demand not only on the health and social care services but also on society as a whole as most of the care for individuals with dementia is provided by family members who act as main caregivers.
The Parliamentary Secretary stressed the Government’s enthusiasm to implement new measures, and therefore the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Rights of Persons with disability and Active Ageing is already implementing parts of the strategy especially in the area of professional training.
She mentioned that this is implemented thanks to EU funds, where training on dementia is being given to professionals and employees forming part of the health and elderly sector. In fact training is underway at Saint Vincent de Paul Residence and at Karen Grech Rehabilitation Hospital.
She also said that during this month, training will commence for employees at the Gozo General Hospital.
Dr Caruana stated that the Government is committed to ensure that this strategy is implemented and in fact it is planned that its implementation will span over 9 years in order for various holistic measures to be implemented aimed at improving the quality of life of persons with dementia and their carers.
Malta is one of the few countries that is adopting a dementia strategy on a National basis, and will be the smallest state to adopt this strategy.
This Strategy sets out a work programme for the next nine years to enhance the quality of life of individuals with dementia, their caregivers and family members through the implementation of a number of intervention streams in different priority areas including awareness and understanding of dementia, timely diagnosis, workforce development, research and dementia management and care.
Various leaflets have also been published, and these are aimed at a different section of people including professionals.
A process of recruitment of a dementia intervention team to assist persons with dementia and their families in the community is also underway.
Justyne Caruana concluded her speech by thanking Dr. Charles Scerri, the author of this strategy who has worked hard for this strategy to enter into force and the civil society in particular the Malta Dementia society.
The Parliamentary Secretary reassured that the Government will be implementing all the present measures of this strategy in the prescribed period.
A dementia-friendly version of the Strategy is also available, in print form, with the aim of encouraging people with dementia to participate more fully in decisions that affect their lives.
Policy Link EN [1]
Policy Link MT [2]
Dementia Friendly Version EN [3]
Dementia Friendly Version MT [3].
Photograph: DOI/Pierre Sammut