A tale of two islands

links between Malta and the UK are set in history and, since Malta became a Republic, they are somewhat tenuous. However, as recent events have illustrated, the Maltese look on Britain and the British with feelings of attachment and affinity.

In fact, it was the visit to Malta by Queen Elizabeth II that highlighted once again the close relationship between the two countries. Indeed, the warmth of the welcome received by the Queen and the enthusiasm and interest of so many Maltese people are indications that the links and ties of the past are still very much part of the Maltese culture.

Naturally, there is much in the UK that can be emulated by Malta to its advantage, such as smooth road surfaces, stricter adherence to driving regulations, the provision of free health care rather more equally along the lines of the British National Health Service, etc.

However, Malta is a densely populated country and its resources and finances not comparable to those of the UK. Therefore, although improvements are long overdue, unfortunately, it does not seem likely that these will be implemented in the immediate future.

Among similar considerations, there is one very important area where role reversal would benefit the British people and this is in the treatment and care of the elderly. The contrast that springs to mind concerns a very elderly lady living in Southern England and an even older gentleman living in Sliema (the lady in question is 90 and the gentleman is 94).

Both have no wish to move into an old people's home. Picture for yourselves the scene where the lady lives alone in a spacious three-bedroomed apartment. Her immediate family is not too distant from her home but pressures of work and many other commitments mean that she rarely sees them.

Once a week, her son does her shopping and visits her - this is his only opportunity as he commutes to London and has his own housework on weekends. She also gets weekly visits from some of her granddaughters.

Otherwise, under payment, a private company which specialises in care for the elderly sends a trained carer daily to ensure that housework is done, all pills and tablets duly taken and to prepare lunch and supper for the lady. Since all this has to be accomplished in the space of two hours, all the foregoing is naturally of a perfunctory nature.

The woman is beset by loneliness and her life has become a travesty.

In contrast, the gentleman residing in Sliema is looked after by a couple of women who take it in shifts to ensure there is help on hand if needed, night or day. One lady doubles up as housekeeper and, although the exercise is costly, this ensures peace of mind for the gentleman and, just as importantly, his family. As is most common in Malta, he is visited by family and a variety of other visitors almost every day.

This little illustration is not just an isolated case. Undoubtedly, there are mirrored situations all over England and in many, many towns and villages in Malta. One of Malta's strongest qualities is the closeness of family, this including the extended family, particularly, where elderly relatives are concerned.

It is not just care in the home of the elderly person that is better undertaken in Malta. Whereas in days gone by the older folk were cared for in the homes of their offspring, it is becoming increasingly the case that, where it becomes impossible for the elderly parent to cope on his or her own in their own home, the family arrange for the parent to move to an old people's home.

There are many of these in Malta today, offering a diversity of prices and facilities to suit individual requirements. The prices of private care homes are much less expensive than those in the UK, although the facilities and care on offer are on a comparable basis. Even the state-run old people's homes in Malta offer quality care and accommodation, albeit not in every such home - some are better equipped and more modern than others.

Malta has always attracted people from the UK who seek retirement in a "place in the sun" and there is a significant amount of elderly people who have chosen Malta as the ideal location where they wish to spend the rest of their lives.

The excellent facilities and moderate prices of the elderly care establishments are an added incentive and this is a further bonus to the influx of tourists who bring invisible and much needed income to these islands.

The growing proportion of elderly people to those still earning incomes and contributing to the financial stability of Malta is growing larger every year with the increasing longevity of people in general as a result of better health care.

This can be a two-headed sword, in the sense that the elderly can be a drain on the finances gained by the younger generations. However, with the provision of elderly care there are benefits to be gained all round.

Properly organised and regulated elderly care can bring financial rewards to those involved in this industry and this benefits the industry, as well as those seeking the best solution to the problem of elderly care when it becomes necessary. This seems to be an area where all players are winners!