Justyne Caruana to present motion on first reading of the Commissioner for Older Persons Bill

by Gozo News · May 4, 2015

Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana is to present a motion in Parliament with regards to the first reading of the Commissioner for Older Persons Bill.

Parliamentary Secretary Justyne Caruana, today addressed the opening session of the 12-day International Training Programme in Health Promotion, Quality of Life and Wellbeing which is a multi-disciplinary training programme designed by an International Expert group.

The programme aims to discuss the implications of population ageing and highlight the importance of including ageing issues in national development planning. The expert group will also delve to provide a broad understanding of the complex and far-reaching consequences of mass longevity.

Justyne Caruana said that today she will present a motion in Parliament regarding the first reading of the Commissioner for Older Persons Bill in order to safeguard the rights and best interests of older persons.

During her speech Parliamentary Secretary said that the Government has launched two major National Strategies – The Active Ageing Strategic Policy and the Dementia Strategy. These strategies are being complemented by other policy measures, such as the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People, training of all the staff on dementia in order to increase awareness, including staff at Gozo General Hospital and other initiatives including infrastructural ameliorations to enhance the quality of life of older persons.

The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned that the Parliamentary Secretariat she leads has been putting in place various programmes and services for the growing number of persons since it took office in March 2013.

Dr Caruana said that the Active Ageing Strategic Policy aspires to increase the number of older workers in the labour market, and include continuous participation of older persons in social, economical, cultural and civic affairs.

Other initiatives the Parliamentary Secretary has mentioned include a new centre for Malta’s University for the Third Age, the setting up of complimentary learning modules on ICT for persons aged 60-plus, and the transformation of traditional day centres to lifelong learning hubs.

This International Training Programme is being organised by the International Institute on Ageing, United Nations, Malta (INIA – Malta) and will be addressed by worldwide experts in the field of gerontology.