The duty to care (1)

I am sure that the letter of Sheila Pritchard, entitled Lack of Care (July 29) was written in good faith and the writer expressed her own sad experience involving an acquaintance.

Unfortunately, this problem is generic to every country around the globe. We all seem to be living longer, therefore the state is finding it very difficult to cope. Of course morally in an ideal world, such a phenomenon would have been prepared for many years ago. World leaders who pontificate on issues seem to be overlooking this increasing problem, the needs of ordinary citizens who through no fault of their own are living longer.

In general, having experienced living abroad for many years, I honestly do think that Malta is on a parallel with care provided by other bigger and richer countries. There is still a lot of free care available for those who need it. Malta has not yet taken the path some other countries have taken: once an elderly or infirmed person who owns their house needs to move into some kind of sheltered accommodation, then they must sign over their assets to cover the cost of being looked after.

The whole issue surrounding the problem of providing free adequate care for everyone who needs it has to be looked at and now is the time for means testing to come into force.

To some my comments might seem heartless but reality prevails. Our culture in Malta seems to dictate that everything should be provided free, as if we have got a bottomless pit of cash available. There was once a country not many moons ago called Greece that was the land of milk and honey, where for many years everything was free. We must all accept our responsibilities to care for those who need care. It just cannot be left for the government to pick the pieces. In being involved hands on with caring for those who need it, we in the long term are investing in having someone to look after us when the time comes.

To conclude, this is a very emotive subject that bites to the core and many reading Ms Pritchard’s letter would have quite rightly been repulsed by her particular experience which is inexcusable.

But as I have already mentioned, let us all take a good look around us and see how we can assist first hand those who are in genuine need. It is all so easy to say what should or must be done.