Appeal for money to help build extension to home for the elderly

The board of management of the Holy Family Home for the Elderly in Naxxar is appealing for money to build an extension, which would allow it to accommodate more residents and increase the service rooms to improve the quality of life for senior citizens.

Demographic trends showed that the number of senior citizens in Maltese society was continuing to rise, meaning that the demand for residential accommodation was also increasing.

Hence, the need to embark on an "indispensable", structural project costing around Lm131,000 (apart from furniture) for the further development of the Naxxar home.

The Catholic Action, which manages the home, already has Lm15,000 in its hands, or promised, for the project.

The residence caters for 66 residents, only six of whom have a single room. They have to use the same bathrooms, heightening the possibility of the spread of infections.

The plan is to construct 18 single rooms, with en suite bathrooms, and service rooms, including a mortuary that is required by law, a living area, storage space and a garage, as well as a decent staff room.

The project would serve to reduce crowding in the existing building, as well as to ease the huge demand for entry into the home, the board maintained.

As it was, the environment did not respect human dignity.

Home administrator Joe Rossi said that gone were the days when Church homes for the elderly could just provide "a bed, love and a good environment".

They had to move with the demands of the moment and adapt to the high standards of living, offering single bedrooms, with bathrooms en suite. Otherwise they would not survive, Mr Rossi said.

"We have to move with the times and think on these lines, providing the services that a modern home requires," he added.

Apart from the modern extension, the existing part of the building in Marquis Scicluna Street would undergo refurbishment and works were already under way.

The project was considered to be a minor step towards tomorrow`s reality, which was already being felt today.

Mr Rossi pointed out that society was ready and willing to help people with disability and children, which was "a very good thing". However, when it came to the elderly, the public seemed to have a different attitude.

He said the home`s fund-raising activities suffered a great deal and highlighted the need to raise public awareness.

Despite the fact that residents paid a moderate fee and that a number of volunteers offered regular help, there was a recurring shortfall of Lm18,000 per annum. The deficit was balanced through charity funds, allocated by the Archdiocese of Malta.