Mepa’s newly proposed ‘Height Limitation Adjustment Policy for Retirement Homes’ does not really benefit the elderly who retire in these homes, but is simply another scheme introduced for the benefit of developers and retirement home owners.

Although Mepa highlights a number of valid reasons for increasing the availability of beds/spaces for the growing elderly population, it seems to jump to the conclusion that building extra floors on top of existing retirement homes is the only solution.

Mepa also seems to forget that the new policy runs counter to several other initiatives being taken. For instance, the in­crease in height will negatively impact neighbouring homes and discourage the installation of solar water heaters and PV panels as a result of the reduction of direct sunlight.

The initiatives to regenerate unoccupied buildings in towns and villages, as well as the need to protect Malta’s built and cultural heritage as highlighted by the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) will also be negatively affected. Indeed it would be much wiser if buildings of this sort were rehabilitated and used to house elderly citizens.

From a social perspective one should also adopt policies that encourage the elderly to live in their own home by providing them with as much social and nursing assistance as possible.

Indeed, elderly people living alone in large houses could be encouraged to invite one or two relatives or friends to live with them, thereby sharing ex­pen­ses and getting much-needed companionship, while still living in their own neighbourhood.

I urge Mepa to focus its resources on finding better sustainable and adequate solutions before deciding on the proposed policy. This policy seems to be instigated by the wish of retirement home owners and operators to make more money and not out of concern for the welfare of the elderly.