Two agreements have been signed between Active Aging and Care in the Community, the Community Police and the Department of Civil Protection with the aim of making the latter two entities better informed about the challenges of people who have the condition of dementia.
Through Active Aging and Care in the Community, training will be given to the members of the Civil Protection and also to the Community Police. Among the training that will be given, the members of both entities will be in a better position to recognize signs of dementia in other people, and the way to communicate with these people during the service of ‘ their duties.
Present for the signing of the agreements were the Minister for the Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality, Byron Camilleri and the Minister for Active Aging Jo Etienne Abela. Minister Byron Camilleri explained how in their work in the heart of the community, both the Police, as well as Civil Protection officers, meet different people, and with various conditions at the most times difficult for what it is, and that is why specialized training is of great importance.
Minister Camilleri said that apart from the unprecedented investment that the government is making in all the Disciplined Bodies, investment is also being made in terms of continuous training for the workers and that this is also improving the welfare of society, as well as the development of the workers themselves in their respective careers. “We are seeing that the members of the Disciplined Bodies that assist the people are more and more prepared in every eventuality and also in the realities that we have in the heart of the communities of our country. It was for this reason that the Civil Protection workers and even the Community Police will be receiving continuous training in various social aspects, so that these officers better understand various sectors of society during their service,” he concluded.
The Minister for Active Aging, Jo Etienne Abela, explained how through this agreement between Active Aging and Care in the Community and Disciplined Bodies, another part of the National strategy will be drawn up for dementia. People with dementia have difficulties with memory and communication, and therefore need those who give them help to know their limitations and adapt to their needs. For this purpose the Dementia Care Directorate will be holding a number of information sessions for the Community Police and Civil Protection, so that they are more aware of the condition and can give the -best possible service to individuals with dementia. “This agreement will be another important step in improving the quality and care that we are ensuring is given to the elderly on a daily basis. Together, as a government we are continuing to ensure that we offer the highest service for the good of the community”, concluded Minister Jo Etienne Abela.
The agreements were signed by Renzo Degabriele for Active Aging and Care in the Community, the Acting Deputy Police Commissioner, Kenneth Haber and the Director General of the Department of Civil Protection, Peter Paul Coleiro.
