Plethora of services for the elderly in Gozo

I refer to a letter signed by John Saunders of Chelmsford, UK (October 6). It is apparent that the correspondent is somehow misinformed about the situation of the elderly in Gozo. We would therefore like to clarify the matter as follows.

There are two state-run residences, mainly the Male Geriatric Ward and Residenza Sant'Anna, that are both situated within the Gozo General Hospital complex and cater for Gozitan male and female elderly persons respectively.

Both these residences are also serviced by the hospital facilities. Moreover there are three homes run by separate religious communities offering residential services to elderly persons within the Gozitan community.

Apart from this there are other structures which cater for elderly persons on the island of Gozo, facilitating their ability to continue to live within their communities in their own environments. These services are coordinated by the Care for the Elderly section at the Department of Customer Services within the Ministry for Gozo and include home help services, Meals on Wheels, incontinence services, handyman services as well as the running of day centres.

Notwithstanding the fact that the elderly represent almost 22 per cent of Gozitan society (according to figures released last year), a relatively high number have remained within their family environments, leading fairly normal lives within their communities, thanks to the assistance and support given them through these services.

This more than proves the reality that there exists no comparative unfair treatment between the elderly living on the two islands.