As a family doctor, I frequently meet people of all ages and creeds who like discussing social issues while they’re being diagnosed or medicated. When some time ago I was visiting such an elderly lady who was quite vociferous in her views, the phrase active ageing inevitably cropped up.

She looked baffled. “Active what?”

At that moment I was amused, but when I later started to think on this lady’s bafflement with the term ‘active ageing’, I realised that in reality a lot of us do not really consider what this concept entails.

Is ‘active ageing’ just a buzz word? If not, why do we need to stress the importance of activity?

Why do the elderly shy away from an active lifestyle? Why should senior citizens remain active in the first place?

How can they benefit from activity? How can society benefit?

After ample reflection, I came to the conclusion that the elderly’s tendency towards lack of activity lies primarily in society’s perception of them. Although we recognise and respect the decades of work the elderly have contributed to society, we tend to think of the elderly as a spent resource.

Most of us labour under the impression that the elderly have no more to contribute. We might treat them like babies or toddlers, expecting them to while away their time with meaningless tasks. We tell them not to worry about this or that, inducing them into a lull of perpetual disinterest.

This attitude is obviously well-meant. We know how hard our elderly parents have worked, so we desperately want them to enjoy their final years.

We need, however, to stop and ask ourselves the blunt questions: are they really enjoying doing nothing? Has doing nothing affected their spirit, intellect and body positively?

The answer to these questions will probably be a negative. We, therefore, need to make haste in rethinking our perception of what an elderly person’s lifestyle should be, and truly grasp the importance of the active ageing concept.

This government recognises the importance of seniors as a valuable human resource

Fortunately the current government has understood its importance, and has in fact lost no time in implementing the National Strategy for Active Ageing.

In the past two years the government has worked with the purpose of protecting those seniors who cannot be independent. This was achieved, among others, through changes in the laws intended to safeguard the elderly from abuse.

The government saw to the strengthening of residential homes and hospitals through the introduction of higher standards. Educational campaigns related to conditions affecting the elderly, such as dementia, were also topmost priorities.

The government also worked tirelessly to help those seniors who can be independent, with the aim of aiding them in adapting to today’s realities, such as technology, and thus enabling them to continue contributing to society in the best way they can.

This would be a positive change from seeing elderly people hanging around listlessly with no scope in life, gradually becoming a burden on their children and the state.

Among others, the government has invested in new day care centres, introduced a system of social outreach in various localities, updated the telecare system, and organised computer courses aimed specifically at seniors in several localities around Malta and Gozo.

This government recognises the importance of seniors as a valuable human resource and, through a national strategy, is endeavouring to keep them active, so that this resource is not lost.

I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the elderly to do their part and meet the government halfway, so that they can continue to enjoy the respect they deserve as persons who not only gave a lot, but who also have yet to contribute.

Etienne Grech is a family doctor, government MP, and chairman of the Parliamentary Health Committee.