Casa Arkati, the first private home for the elderly, is to be extended to take 180 residents.

The residence, in Mosta, is currently home for 120.

Nazzareno Vassallo, chairman of Caremalta, which owns the home, announced the extension during a reception to mark the home's 20th anniversary.

Casa Arkati welcomed its first three residents in June 1993. It had a starting work-force of six employees. It today employs 110, mostly women.

Mr Vassallo said CareMalta Ltd had consolidated its position as the leading private care provider for older persons in Malta. It now operates eight facilities – Villa Messina, Roseville, Zejtun Home, Bormla Home, Dar ill-Madonna tal-Mellieha, Zammit Clapp Hospital Residential Home and Prince of Wales.

Care Malta’s CEO, Natalie Briffa Farrugia said that over the years, 67% of the residents were women. The average age of the residents was 75 for men and 82 for women. 66% of residents hailed from the central part of the Island, mostly from Sliema and St Julian’s, 29% from the northern part, and 5% from the south.

Minister for Family Affairs u Social Solidarity, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca stressed that her government was actively working to develop the concept of active ageing in Malta. She explained that elderly persons deserved to live an active life since old age should not merely be considered as the last part of one’s life but as part of a process in the person’s development. She praised the service Casa Arkati has been providing for the past 20 years and reiterated her government’s intention to work hand-in-hand with the private sector in the provision of a quality service to the elderly.

During the celebration three employees from the home, Carmen Debono, Euphemia Muscat and Dorothy Iguanez were honoured for being the longest-serving employees.