Active Ageing Unit launched

This morning the Active Ageing Unit was launched by Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing and Disability Rights Franco Mercieca. The strategy, which will cover the years 2014 - 2020, will aim to create initiatives for the elderly with the scope that they will remain active even after their retirement.

Amongst the aims of the Unit are the creation of a lifelong learning scheme, the planning, implementation and regularization of initiatives for the elderly to keep active and reassurances for those nearing retirement that they will be given such opportunities to remain active.

Mercieca said that the strategy was important as it veered away from the medical model of care to a social one. "We need to change the mentality that the elderly are no longer capable of being socially active," he said, adding that they still had a lot to contribute to society.

Raymond Dimech, director of the Directorate for the Elderly and Community care, said that the standard of living of the elderly could and should remain a high one, regardless of their age.

"This is becoming increasingly important as what we may have considered old in the past is not necessarily the case now," he said, in reference to the ageing population.

Meanwhile, Cynthia Formosa, also of the Directorate, said that the strategy allowed for a gradual and flexible retirement. "The emphasis is on not only extending life but extending and improving it," she said, adding that this strategy could also help to change the mentality of employers that ageing persons are not up to facing the rigours of the working world. 

When asked by journalists whether he intended to step down from his role as Parliamentary Secretary to focus on his private practice - in a story first published by Malta Today - Mercieca provided no concrete answers.

Mercieca said he would continue to honour his role in parliament until the Prime Minister decided otherwise, but did not deny that he would voluntarily to step down.