Joseph Rossi has won this year’s Nazzareno Vassallo Award.

The award, presented for initiatives in elder care, honours the achievements of individuals or organisations who have shown special initiatives resulting in improvement of the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of the elderly.

Mr Rossi, who has been running the Holy Family Home in Naxxar for the past 16 years and who has dedicated the best years of his career to help the elderly with patience and love, was given the award during a presentation ceremony at Roseville in Attard, which was presided by President George Abela.

In his message, Vassallo Group and Care Malta chairman Nazzareno Vassallo said 2013 was a special year for the company not only because it marked its 20th anniversary but also because the company has gone through further expansion in its operations.

In 2013, homes run by Care Malta in Żejtun and Mellieħa, as well as Zammit Clapp, were extended. Furthermore, works on the extension of Casa Arkati in Mosta, which started in August, will be completed by March. As a result, these homes are able to take 150 additional elderly residents.

Care Malta CEO Natalie Briffa Farrugia said it was encouraging to see that the number of people volunteering in this sector was increasing.

It not only offered richness in the lives of people benefitting from voluntary services but was also rewarding for the volunteers, who could also be elderly people.

Care Malta currently operates eight facilities for the elderly, employs over 850 staff and provides accommodation services for over 1,000 elderly people.