Society should not consider elderly a burden

The elderly should be looked upon as people who in their youth gave their best to society and to our country, Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly, Dr Antoine Mifsud Bonnici, said at the opening of the new academic year of the University of the Third Age.

The academic year of the U3E, part of the University of Malta's Gerontology Institute, opened just a week after the World Day of the Elderly on October 1.

"The elderly should not be considered a burden society has to carry or as individuals who have to live their last years depending on the mercy of Government or other people. The elderly's dignity should always be safeguarded," Dr Mifsud Bonnici said.

"They deserve a special place in society in recognition of their contribution to society. This is why we need to ensure that they enjoy the highest standard of living. They have much to give to the creation and increase of the common good, as they are an integral part of society, one of the elements forming our human and social resources. Therefore, where possible, the elderly must continue to live in familiar surroundings, at the centre of social activity, and in continuous dialogue with other generations."

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that the elderly's long life had to be accompanied by a better quality of life. Policies need to be in place to keep the elderly active, in close contact with their families and friends, which encourage the elderly to participate in society.

In 1988, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly said in a recommendation on family policy: "The family is still the place where human relationships are most intense and rich and the best place for bringing up children and providing care for elderly persons."

But, Dr Mifsud Bonnici pointed out: "The traditional role of the Maltese family in providing everyday support and care is seriously threatened by several economic, social and psychological needs."

He said that Government's primary objective was, is and will always be, that whenever and wherever possible the elderly continue to live in their homes with their family and friends. Government's commitment to help the elderly who do not have relatives to care for them and aid to those families who care for the elderly has increased and has to continue to increase.

Services for the elderly in the community, including support to families, need to be extended and improved and become more personalised. But the concept of solidarity - the welfare society - needed to be cultivated.

Under the vision of a 'society for all ages', society should be inclusive rather than exclusive, one which encourages the elderly to have more initiative and be pro-active.

"We need to continue to strive to develop the Maltese elderly's new image, and create occasions which provide our elderly with opportunities in which they can participate actively and thus strengthen their integration in society. The elderly can now participate in various activities, like local councils, trade unions, religious, political, cultural, philanthropic, philarmonic and sports groups. Around 1,000 people are regularly attending day centres."

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said retirement age should mean the beginning of a new phase in the life of the elderly. The U3E wants to provide its members and society with something more - and different - than an academic course. It should serve as a cradle of creative knowledge. The U3E should also serve as a social rendezvous where members share experiences.

To safeguard the elderly's dignity (one of the United Nations Principle for Older Persons), Government is committed that:

¤ none of the elderly are left behind;

¤ every elderly person has a government pension that is assured for life;

¤ all elderly persons can avail themselves of modern health and educational services;

¤ all elderly persons live at home in acceptable conditions, as long as possible;

¤ the elderly who need to live in a residential home are given the necessary means to do so;

¤ every case is treated individually and professionally.

"The progress achieved in these last years fill us with courage and are a guarantee of the future," Dr Mifsud Bonnic said. "But the government alone cannot fulfil these needs which increase and change in a sector of the population that grows every year.

"We have to work together - Government, the Church, local councils, volunteers, the private sector and the elderly and their families - to reach our objective that sees that every elderly person enjoys dignity and respect."