Since its formation in March 2013, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing has been widely successful in enabling higher levels of active and positive ageing. The ratification and implementation of the national strategic policies for active ageing and dementia represented a new departure in policymaking for older people in Malta, given their focus on the broader social determinants of health effects. As a result of such innovative policies, older persons in Malta enjoy exceptional levels of opportunities to age successfully to the extent that Malta has reached unprecedented health life expectancies.
Nevertheless, later life is not always a bed of roses. As people age, they find themselves vulnerable to unique predicaments.
The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, marked annually on June 15, reminds us that elder abuse is a global social issue that affects the health and human rights of millions of older people around the world and, hence, an issue that deserves the attention of the international community.
This day represents the only time in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted upon members of the older generations. International statistics expose a dark side to ageing by reporting that four to six per cent of older people have experienced some form of abuse or maltreatment at home.
Unfortunately, the incidence of abuse towards older people is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations. Malta is no exception to such trends.
Research conducted by local gerontologists report that elder abuse is a relatively prevalent occurrence in Malta. Similarly, social workers encounter many cases of actions that cause harm or distress to older persons.
The type of behaviour that can be defined as elder abuse may include physical, financial, emotional, sexual, self-abuse or self-neglect. When elder abuse occurs it often results in devastating outcomes, including serious physical injuries, emotional pain and suffering, shame, depression, shattered trust, financial ruin and increased risk of mortality.
The lack of effective legislative attention to elder abuse in the past has always been a thorn in my side and, upon assuming office in April 2014, it is no secret I gave this matter my utmost attention.
A year and two months later, this government’s track record in contributing towards a stronger legislative structure that better protects older people from abuse and maltreatment is obvious to all.
Elderly abuse remains largely hidden and difficult to detect
Indeed, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Active Ageing was instrumental in introducing in the Criminal Code new forms of deterrent measures dealing specifically with “elder abuse”, a concept which, until then, was defined in a very broad manner by encapsulating all forms of abuse but without a special focus on the experiences faced by older persons.
The new legislation also included innovative concepts to ensure maximum protection for older people, even from relatives, to safeguard their best interests.
Civil and criminal concepts were merged to achieve higher levels of protection, enabling victims to bypass criminal or civil proceedings, which are generally very time-consuming, expensive and disheartening.
It is true that, despite this proactive stance, elder abuse remains largely hidden and difficult to detect and, hence, requiring a more comprehensive law that takes a leading role in the prevention, investigation and response to elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Rest assured the Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing will not shirk its responsibilities to this effect and, through the Active Ageing Unit, it has initiated policy measures that raise the recognition of elder abuse and neglect as a social reality through research, public education and training of people working in the social and healthcare sectors, including police officers.
More important, however, is the fact that legislative work is much advanced on the launching of an Adult Protection Act for Vulnerable and Older Persons. The government’s vision is built on the value of social justice and is deeply committed to safeguard victims of all possible forms of abuse, especially with respect to citizens incapable of protecting themselves by reason of physical disability or mental infirmity.
The proposed law will also protect the rights of vulnerable and older people not receiving adequate care and attention or who are incapable of caring adequately for themselves by reason of physical disability or mental infirmity or are unable to make provision for his adequate care and attention.
As the Secretary-General of the United Nations has proclaimed, all human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and have the right to age with dignity, respected by their families and communities, free of neglect, abuse and violence.
To this end, the government will leave no stone unturned in coming up with innovative ideas required to contribute towards raising awareness, changing attitudes and providing the necessary tools to take action against elder abuse.
My parliamentary secretariat will continue striving to promote the interests of all older persons, especially the most vulnerable, by targeting the launching of the Adult Protection Act for Vulnerable and Older Persons, the Commissioner for Older Persons Act and the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People by the end of this year.
Taken together, these three legislative actions will certainly make Malta one of the best countries to grow old in.
Justyne Caruana is Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing.