Elderly people in Malta should seek to learn how to use computers as well as push themselves, at their own pace, to remain as physically and mentally active as possible, Tony Mulè Stagno told fellow elderly people yesterday.
“You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink,” he stressed.
“No matter the opportunities provided to us by the government, society or even our friends, it is up to us to effectively take them up.”
A murmur of approval rippled among those present after being informed by Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia of the oldest participant of the government’s free IT courses: a 99-year-old woman.
The minister and Mr Mulè Stagno, 74, were speaking at a government consultation at the Qawra Access Centre with the elderly in St Paul’s Bay on the active ageing national strategy.
Asking those present whether they felt active, a couple of hands shot up while others were raised more hesitantly. Half those present did not show their hands.
Aiming to encourage and instigate other elderly people to action, Mr Mulè Stagno spoke about his part-time job, his participation in two voluntary organisations and his striving to remain physically active by going on regular walks. All this despite being besieged by a spate of health problems, he added, including diabetes, a mild stroke and having to undergo a bypass.
“What does active ageing mean? It means different things for different people. A person aged 80 will not have the same abilities as a 60-year-old. So, on the other hand, you mustn’t push yourself excessively hard or you’ll end up causing more harm than good.”
Tell us what you want
Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing Justyne Caruana called upon the elderly not to remain passive but to contribute, as their wisdom and advice was of great value to society.
The government was setting about implementing the 2014-2020 strategy and the involvement of elderly people, who make up one quarter of Malta’s population, was crucial, she said.
“Tell us what you want. We need to know whether the activities organised at the day centres are of interest and of benefit to you. Empowerment is an important part of the strategy.”
The government, she continued, has set up committees composed of elderly people within residential homes to help them be more actively involved in the management of the home. Additionally, day centres have also been transformed into learning clubs, incorporating a syllabus so that the experience of learning could be intertwined with the element of fun.
Senior manager within the active ageing department Cynthia Formosa explained that, as the Maltese population aged, they faced a number of challenges including having a stable income, discrimination due to age and appropriate healthcare.
Malta has a low rate of older workers (aged 55 to 64) compared with EU member states.
The involvement of such workers in the labour market helped the economy grow and helped manage the weight of social welfare provisions.
The strategy posited the removal of fiscal and social disincentives hindering people from working, as well as the notion of gradual retirement and flexibility and the need for workplaces to be adapted to the needs of older people.
Awareness on dementia must be increased as well as awareness of abuse of the elderly, which should be bolstered by a legal structure and services through which one could report instances of abuse for action to be taken.
Opportunities between children and elderly people must be increased and access to information and assistance must be made easier, Ms Formosa said.