When people are told they have dementia, for which there is no known cure, they often go home feeling lost.
That will change, however, because a team, made up of a nurse, a psychologist, an occupational therapist, a social worker and a coordinator, will soon be available to visit dementia sufferers at their homes.
“We cannot provide a cure for people with dementia, so we can only offer them a better quality of life,” Charles Scerri, who penned Malta’s national strategy for dementia, told this newspaper.
“The dementia intervention team will not replace the clinical aspect but by improving the quality of life of people with dementia within the community there will be fewer people who rely on institutions and that will eventually lead to a decrease in nursing home admissions.”
As things stand now, when one is diagnosed with dementia, one usually goes home and feels at a loss on what to do or what services there are available for people with the condition. Together with their relatives, they now have the option to get the help of the dementia intervention team.
A spokesman for the Parliamentary Secretariat for Active Ageing said the call for applications to fill the posts on the intervention team would be issued in weeks. There is no date set yet for the launch of the service because it depends on the administrative process.
Initially there will only be one team but the government plans to launch others.
The nurse in the team will not only help out with basic everyday medical needs but will also be on the lookout should other medical requirements arise and advise accordingly.
The psychologist will support the carers, who often experience a significant psychological burden.
Apart from coping with physical disabilities that develop as the disease progresses, the occupational therapist will advise on housing adaptations to ensure a dementia-friendly and safe environment.
“My ultimate dream is that Malta will eventually be the first dementia-friendly nation, something that the country has potential for,” Dr Scerri said, noting that the adult population is gradually increasing and, by 2050, a third of the Maltese population will be aged over 65.
“I’d like dementia to be treated for the condition it is. I want us to look at people with dementia as human beings with full dignity. There has been tremendous progress over the past seven years but there is still a lot to be done. The problem is that conditions that affect mental health have always been stigmatised,” Dr Scerri added.
Plans are in the pipeline for a postgraduate course meant to address dementia from various aspects, including social issues.
“So far, in Malta we have academically focused on the medical model and how dementia affects the brain.
“However, we are now in discussion with the University of Malta about a postgraduate course on ageing and dementia studies that could be launched next year,” Dr Scerri said.