Elderly people are sometimes perceived as “parasites” by the younger generation who do not appreciate they had worked hard to build today’s society, according to Carmel Brincat, 79.

“When you grow older you start to feel that some people look at elderly people as parasites… as blood suckers. They forget that we worked hard, contributed to society and paid our taxes,” he said, adding that the elderly deserved more respect.

Unfortunately, he noted, the elderly were a vulnerable group in society and more had to be done to ensure they were treated with dignity, as was their right.

I call on those who work in the field to respect the rights listed... so they won’t remain on paper

His 76-year-old wife, Bernardette, agreed, adding it was essential that the elderly people themselves were made aware of their rights.

She welcomed the ‘Charter of rights and responsibilities for older people in care homes’ launched yesterday at St Vincent de Paul, the residential home where she lives.

The charter lists the rights and responsibilities of elderly people living in government-run homes and also in private institutions where the government rents beds.

Judge Philip Sciberras said that St Vincent de Paul consultative board, which he chaired, felt the need to ensure that the elderly were at the heart of the caring process.

The charter aimed at ensuring elderly people were treated with dignity and respect, he said. It allowed residents to know their rights and listed their responsibilities that included respecting other residents and staff members and informing the authorities about situations of abuse. While the charter itself was not legally binding, the rights listed were based on constitutional provisions that were, therefore, enshrined in the law.

“What the charter does is ensure these rights are made clear to elderly residents and others,” he said.

The Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly, Justyne Caruana said the government was committed to helping the elderly lead a good-quality life. The charter was one in a series of initiatives aimed at improving care for the elderly, she said

“But the charter is not enough... I call on those who work in the field to respect the rights listed in it... so that they won’t remain on paper,” she said.

Elderly in care homes have the right to:

• Dignity, freedom, security and well-being
• Respect of their cultural, psychosocial, spiritual and personal values
• Be fully assessed and informed about their medical condition
• Participate in planning their medical treatment
• Be provided with a legal guardian when needed
• Have access to specialised treatment for dementia
• Be able to voice grievances freely
• Be given high quality, timely and tailored care
• Be assured regular exercise and assistance in moving around
• Be provided with social activities
• Be provided with palliative care and adequate nutrition