Patients are going into nursing homes at the average age of 83, according to Care Malta CEO Nathalie Briffa Farrugia

“In the past, people were afraid that they might not find a nursing home when they needed it, so they tended to move into a home earlier, at around the age of 74. A number of things have changed, including the improved provision of community care to enable people to live independently for as long as possible,” she said.

“Also, demand is so high – partly because of the ageing population – that they are only taken into homes when they require high levels of nursing care.”

Care Malta’s ninth home for the elderly, Casa San Paolo, will welcome the first of its 195 residents this week.

The €5 million project has focused mainly on single rooms, as this is what most residents prefer, Ms Briffa Farrugia said.

Care Malta operates four of its homes as public/private partnerships with the government, which mostly offer shared rooms.

“Although there are some single rooms, they are allocated by ‘seniority’, to the residents who have been there longest,” she explained, adding that with 947 residents in its PPPs and a further 400 in its other residences, there was always demand.

“In a single room, people feel that they are able to recreate their own space, bringing their own furniture and accessories to complement what we provide.”

Care Malta CEO Nathalie Briffa Farrugia: “The provision of community care has improved and enabled people to live independently for as long as possible.Care Malta CEO Nathalie Briffa Farrugia: “The provision of community care has improved and enabled people to live independently for as long as possible.

This is the first time that the Vassallo Group subsidiary has refurbished existing premises – rather than having something purpose-built – but the former Buġibba Hotel offered plenty of scope for the right designs. The grounds and lobby will be used to provide ample public space, with a multifunction room, a wellness centre and a gym. There are also different dining rooms and a swimming pool with a lift to help residents get in and out.

Many of our residents stay for around three years, so it is important to keep them active

“Many of our residents stay for around three years, so it is important to keep them active. We will have an animator to organise events, including outings,” she said.

“People spend many years here and we want to improve their quality of life. We are constantly amazed by the improvement we see in people once they settle in. High dependency care, good nutrition and regular medication make a tremendous difference – but so does having other people around. Older people can get very lonely, especially when they are widowed.

“We insist on their getting dressed every day, even if they do not intend to leave their rooms, and make it as easy as possible for them to socialise. In fact, there is a socialising area on each of the seven floors.”

Another innovation will be the provision of palliative care on site, which it hopes to do through an NGO partnership.

Designs for residential care are getting more and more sophisticated, based on scientific studies. For example, bathrooms doors are painted in bright yellow as a visual reminder to dementia patients who might be incontinent.

“The Vassallo Group is also very active in hospitality and catering, so Care Malta is able to bring together these aspects as well as the medical side,” she said.

However, one of the key resources is staff. Care Malta is ensuring that they source people with not only the right skills, but much more importantly, the right attitude.

It introduced in-house training two years ago but it now taking it up a notch and is setting up an academy for carers. Henceforth, it will only employ those who get through the tough theoretical and practical course successfully. The academy will offer a foundation course as well as internationally recognised City and Guilds courses.

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