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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2014 7 News 'Government cannot cope with demand for long-term care' – Justyne Caruana Concerns raised over police handling of alleged child abuse cases Josette Amato DANIEL MIZZI OVER 2,000 elderly people are cur- rently waiting to be placed under state-funded long-term care, but with the government's financial limitations as well as the increasing demand of an ageing population, the parliamentary secretary for active ageing and the elderly, Justyne Caru- ana, has conceded that Malta cannot cope with the demand. "There are currently at least 2,000 elderly people waiting to be placed under long-term care, some of whom have been on the waiting list since 2009. The government would have to build the equivalent of two St Vin- cent de Paul residences to meet the demand," Caruana said. Hosted on the latest edition of TVM's current affairs programme Reporter, the parliamentary secre- tary explained that Malta's ageing population has not only pinpointed the government's inability to meet the increasing demand for long term care, but has also brought to light the issue of the pension system's sustain- ability, active ageing, and the eco- nomic participation of the elderly. A demographic phenomenon caused by a higher life expectancy and drops in Malta's mortality and fertility rates, the ageing of the Mal- tese population has been dubbed as an impending time bomb that would eventually see Malta's elderly out- number children. Statistically, Malta's life expectan- cy of 82 years is among the highest in Europe, while at present one out of nine is over the age of 60, and by 2050 it will be one in five, Dr Mar- vin Formosa, a gerontology lecturer at the University of Malta said on the programme. "Notwithstanding the govern- ment's health sector, and its commit- ment on increasing the beds by 300 every year, the stark reality is that the demand for long-term care is in- creasing," Caruana said. "Beds are allocated according to priority and the level of dependence of the person, and not according to how long the person has been wait- ing. There is not enough money for the government to cope with the de- mand, so the inclusion of private hos- pitals is of paramount importance." But Caruana, as well as her Nation- alist counterpart, Mario Galea, have issued a stark warning: The long- term care of the elderly is not just the state's responsibility, but conversely, relatives must shoulder their share of responsibility. "It is not just the responsibility of the state. There is this incorrect perception that as soon as an elderly person is in need of long-term care, he or she becomes the state's prob- lem. The relatives must shoulder the responsibility too," the PN spokes- person for the elderly said. Galea also explained that the bed shortage in homes for the elderly also spills to Mater Dei, as current- ly some patients stay at Mater Dei despite being discharged – all this because they have no place for long term care. Asked by host Saviour Balzan whether increasing Malta's retire- ment age is the only way of mak- ing the pension system sustainable, Galea argued that this is not the only solution, saying that it is not oppor- tune to give his personal opinion until discussions are held – in stark contrast to the parliamentary secre- tary, who insisted that the govern- ment will not raise the retirement age. Gerontology lecturer Formosa ex- plained that currently, 6,000 persons are suffering from dementia in Mal- ta, a figure which amounts to 5% of all the elderly. "The number of dementia suffer- ers will explode in 10 years' time. We are not yet prepared to tackle this increase – carers, nurses are still un- dergoing training. The cost to care for dementia will eventually surpass the cost spent on treating cancer." MIRIAM DALLI THE Malta Union of Teachers has writ- ten to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat expressing deep concern at the way al- leged child abuse cases are being treated by the Police, especially where educators are involved, and pointing out that extra curricular activities by educators are be- ing affected. The union also asked the Office of the Prime Minister to investigate the meth- odologies being used in such cases and to make the necessary changes in legislation to protect all parties concerned from the abuse of a system "which appears to be flawed and incongruent". The MUT, at this stage, is also not excluding issuing directives in the up- coming scholastic year if the situation remains the same. In his letter to Castille, MUT president Kevin Bonello wrote that there appears to be no uniform way in how cases of al- leged child abuse are investigated. "In some cases allegations that reach the police are investigated in a highly professional manner and action is taken if and when the police believe they have a case," he said. "In other cases it appears that once the allegation reaches the police no investi- gation is carried out at all and the person who allegedly abused is prosecuted im- mediately." Bonello said it was highly confusing to understand how the courts decide on banning the publication of names, es- pecially when conflicting decisions are taken on individuals facing the same or similar charges. "This gives rise to concern because it appears that there are two weights and two measures in the way people are treated by the same police force," he said. The MUT's concerns were fuelled by the court case involving MUSEUM catechist Anthony Cal- lus, 46 of Siggiewi, a school assistant who has been charged with cor- rupting and harassing a 10-year-old boy at Bahar ic-Caghaq on Sunday, 24 August. Sources close to the case said Callus has since suspended himself from his post as treasurer at the MUSEUM Christian doctrine society, and also from his post as an assistant head at the Church's St Michael's school in Sta Ven- era. The alleged incident occurred on 24 August, when the accused was swim- ming at Bahar ic-Caghaq during a MU- SEUM event. At some point in time, Cal- lus "grabbed the 10-year-old boy from his waist and lifted him out of the water." This, according to the prosecution, then led to the accused "slightly brushing the boy's genitalia." Sources close to the case said that the boy was lifted from a deep part of the sea before he fell back in. The accused then lifted the boy again and the boy per- ceived this as being tantamount to inde- cent assault. The MUT has now raised questions about the police inspector involved in the case, with Bonello pointing out that it was the same inspector involved in the case of another educator that has been dragging on for the past three years be- fore the Gozo courts. "In both cases it clearly appears that the persons involved were simply arrested and pros- ecuted without any prop- er investigation into the case. The union wonders whether this is a coinci- dence or otherwise. This methodology is ruining the lives of the educators who are involved, who end up being suspended from their work or hav- ing to resign, after their personal and professional reputation is literally rub- bished on a simple allega- tion," Bonello wrote. He went on to tell the Prime Minister that the methodology apparently being applied by this inspector or the police force "lit- erally means that all one needs to do to get rid of the educator who disciplined a son or a daughter is simply turn up at the police station and allege abuse". "If one takes the Gozo case as an ex- ample, the educator would need years to clear his or her name. In the meantime, the person passes through hell, in a lit- eral sense, with an automatic suspension especially if in the civil service, a tar- nished reputation and thousands spent to pay defence lawyers. "The methodology in question is also proving to be a death blow for many initiatives taken by educators within the context of extracurricular activities, and an even harder blow on NGOs who provide voluntary service to children. Outings, live-ins, exchanges abroad and similar activities will most definitely be affected. The MUT has been inundated with calls and emails from educators in various schools and volunteers in various organisations expressing their concern." Parliamentary secretary for the elderly insists that long-term care is not just the state's responsibility but also that of patients' relatives; dementia sufferers account for 5% of all elderly PHOTO BY JOE GRECH Kevin Bonello (Photo: Ray Attard/ MediaToday) ROGER DE GIORGIO JOSETTE knew only too well that life isn't fair but it's still good. Despite her fair share of difficult moments, she faced life stoically, generously entertaining at her beautiful home, hosting her life long friends. She was always keen to help out and no sooner would she hear that a friend was not well that she would rush to send her a well-pre- pared meal at home. She knew that life can change in the blink of an eye and her constant care and dedication for her husband Edward, especially since his accident four years ago, were an example of selfless love and the quintessence of the lady that she was. It is difficult to recall Jo- sette without remembering her love for Florence and her long-term wish to spend more time in this cultural city, enjoying its treasures, while sipping a glass of pros- ecco at Café Gilli and din- ning at her favourite Quattro Leoni restaurant. The many persons who crossed her path and who were beneficiaries of her time, generosity and love will long miss her. Her place in friends' hearts was shown by their numerous daily visits in these last three months to Mrs Amato's house in Madl- iena that was turned into a centre of love. All were wel- comed and greeted by the united Amato family whose three generations, without exception, dedicated time and hours of loving care in the hope that Josette would get better. Regrettably, it was not to be and at this difficult moment, I am certain that Joseette would love us to celebrate her life and remember her as for- ever young and a lover of life. To her children Michael and Angie go our sincerest condolences and message of thanks for all that Josette did for all the people around her. She was an exceptional moth- er, ever interested in paving a better life for her children, and an exemplary wife who dedicated hours of attention to Edward's care in the hope that he could lead as normal a life as possible insisting selflessly that 'it was her duty and had become her lifelong challenge'. She knew only too well that all that matters in life is that you loved. Josette leaves us all with more than just fond memo- ries. She is a witness that there are still many good people around. Parliamentary secretary Justyne Caruana at an activity with elderly persons