A survey is being carried out to understand the problems, needs and concerns of elderly people and their informal carers, Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly Mario Galea said this morning.

This will be the first time that the need of informal carers, that include spouses, children and relatives of the elderly person, will be studied.

The survey will rope in over 9,000 people over the age of 75. A group of 22 university students are phoning 400 people a day and asking them questions listed on a questionnaire.

The questions aim to explore whether the elderly were ever abused or felt lonely. They are also asked if they can carry out basic daily functions such as eating, showering and walking alone.

The results, that should be published by November, will help the government tailor its services to the needs of the elderly, Mr Galea said.

Neville Calleja, director of the Health Information and Research Directorate, explained that the survey included another two phases apart from the questionnaire.

Those elderly people who were experiencing "substantial problems" would be interviewed in more detail to better understand their needs. It was estimated that 3,000 such interviews will be carried out. The final phase will include interviews with their informal carers.