Inspiring new frontiers : recommendations for a dementia strategy in the Maltese Islands (report)

Abstract

One of the most important challenges facing the Maltese society is the increasing number in the elderly population. This is the inevitable consequence of living a healthier life which, coupled with advances in medical care, increases life expectancy. Currently, fourteen per cent of the local population is in the 65 years-and-over age bracket. This figure is expected to more than double by the year 2050. As a result, neurodegenerative diseases normally associated with old age, such as many forms of dementia, will also rise proportionately. This was highlighted by a recent study that indicated that two per cent of the general population in Malta will have dementia in the next 40 years, double the number of current data. This will bring about a significant demand not only on the health care services but also on the society in general as most of the care for individuals with dementia is provided by close relatives living in the community. Furthermore, dementia is expensive to manage costing more than cardiovascular disease, all forms of cancer and stroke put together. It was estimated that in 2005, EU member states spent more than 130 billion Euros on dementia alone. It is therefore clear that the devastating impact of dementia cannot be ignored and doing nothing is not an option. There is still time to prepare and adequately plan for the future. Malta needs to invest in high-quality care that would incorporate the various aspects of dementia care starting from training healthcare professionals to building nursing and residential homes specifically designed for individuals with dementia. It is a long-term strategy based on skills, knowledge and hard work involving both professionals and the community. Malta has all the requisites to become a Centre of Excellence in dementia care. The recommendations laid down in this document are the result of wide consultations with stakeholders coming from various sectors of the Maltese community as well as the public in general. They are based on improving services that are currently available as well as the development of new services that will best-suit individuals with dementia and their caregivers. It is hoped that these recommendations would act as a framework on which the National Dementia Strategy would be implemented in the near future. I am very grateful to all those who contributed towards the completion of this document. In particular, I would like to thank the members of the National Dementia Strategy Group for all of their work in making this strategy possible. I would also like to thank the Hon. Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care for his initiative and support throughout.