As Malta continues its journey towards rising a percentage of older persons it follows that even the number of persons with dementia will increase. By the year 2050, it is estimated that the number of individuals with dementia will increase to 13,300 compared to the present 6,000.

However, one must not take into account just these figures. Together with these individuals, caregivers and relatives are also directly affected by this condition since they have to face the needs of the persons they are taking care of on a daily basis.

Malta is not alone in taking action against dementia. The World Health Organisation recently organised its First Ministerial Conference on Global Action against Dementia. More than 80 counties took part.

Dementia is a term that refers to a progressive decline in mental abilities that interferes with daily life, such as memory loss and deterioration, planning and communication skills, and the gradual loss in activities of daily life.

Although different individuals experience dementia differently, understanding how the disease progresses is crucial in planning and providing the right amount of care as well as helping caregivers and patients to foresee the changes that will occur with time.

Dementia is the most expensive medical and social condition, costing as much as one per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product. It is projected that the cost for formal and informal care will exceed US$1.4 trillion in the year 2030.

Considering this, Malta needed to plan ahead in order to face the dementia challenge. That is why the government has just launched its National Strategy on Dementia, making Malta the 21st country in the world to operate a dementia strategy.

The overarching aim of the National Strategy for the Maltese Islands is to enhance the quality of life of persons with dementia, their caregivers as well as their family members through a number of intervention streams.

The strategy was constructed in a top-bottom approach and the Parliamentary Secretariat will continue allowing persons with dementia to have an active role. That is the reason why we decided to publish a dementia-friendly version. Malta is the first country to do so, and the Secretariat has full support from Alzheimers Europe.

One of topics highlighted in the strategy is increasing awareness and understanding of dementia. This recommendation is crucial not only to reduce the stigma associated with dementia but to reduce the widespread misconception that the symptoms of dementia are direct consequences of old age, which in turn would lead to unwillingness to seek professional assistance.

The enhancement of knowledge on dementia is also crucial in developing dementia-friendly communities. The strategy emphasises the need to develop information campaigns targeting different sectors of the population, cultivate an online guide for caregivers, and strengthen the Dementia Helpline which often acts as the first point of contact.

Another key recommendation is dementia diagnosis and intervention. Most persons with dementia are not diagnosed early enough in the disease process. Early diagnosis can enhance the quality of life while limiting institutionalisation, allowing individuals to plan ahead and make personal choices for their future.

The overarching aim is to enhance the quality of life of persons with dementia

The Parliamentary Secretariat will be setting up a Dementia Intervention Team to support persons with dementia in the community and to provide training for health professionals in primary care.

Workforce development is another main pillar of the strategy. Training of healthcare professionals is currently limited and not meeting the required needs. Having a trained workforce is instrumental in delivering high-quality dementia care.

The Parliamentary Secretariat has already trained staff working in ageing welfare at St Vincent de Paul Residence and Karen Grech Hospital, apart from the sessions to be organised this month for employees at Gozo General Hospital. The strategy emphasises the need to ensure that staff working with individuals with dementia have the necessary training.

Among the recommendations in this area is the provision of patient-centred care training to health professionals caring for individuals with dementia, continuous professional development programmes for skills updating, training programmes for caregivers, and supporting information technology platforms that facilitate online dementia training.

The government is also committed to improving dementia management and care. Poor and uncoordinated care contributes to increased rates of nursing home admissions for persons with dementia.

Also, community services that are reliable, flexible and take a holistic approach enable individuals with dementia to remain active and independent for longer.

The strategy underlines the need to improve the delivery of dementia care through community support. It aims to ensure that individuals suffering from dementia have access to medication, are reviewed regularly and have a care plan that addresses daily living. It promotes independent living and engagement through meaningful activities.

The strategy also seeks to ensure that caregivers and family members are involved in the decision making process. It proposes more respite facilities for individuals with dementia, as well as easier access to assistive technology and support for caregivers to continue working.

Residential and nursing homes accommodating individuals with dementia must have the necessary quality standards.

An ethical approach to care is also warranted, since persons with dementia and their caregivers face difficult decisions at all stages. The strategy aims to provide access to training in ethical decision taking, respect for personhood and wellbeing, while ensuring that persons with dementia, caregivers and family members have access to psychological support.

The strategy promotes research initiatives in dementia management and care, and highlights the need to make dementia a national research priority.

The Strategy for Dementia spans a period of nine years, from 2015 to 2023. I am sure that it will have a considerable positive impact on the quality of life of individuals with dementia, their family members and caregivers.

Justyne Caruana is Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing.

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