The Dar San Júzepp home for the elderly, built on more than three acres in Għajnsielem, was inaugurated on Thursday morning by Prime Minister Robert Abela, who described this home as one that offers a quality of life to the elderly in Gozo.
The home which started welcoming the first elderly in the past weeks has around one hundred and twenty beds spread over four floors. It is of the highest standard and includes large areas of open spaces for residents to enjoy.
In the inauguration speech, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the place had potential for various projects, but the Government chose to make it a home for the Gozitan elderly. “The choice was not only the Government’s. But of the Government with the Church and with the private sector that partnered to offer the service. There is no better example of how we want to do it together,” stressed the Prime Minister.
He referred to the strategy for Gozo for the next ten years and how a better quality of life for all Gozo people is a top priority, including the elderly. He spoke about the need for the elderly to remain active, both when they live independently in the heart of the community and when they enter a residential home. He stressed that the smallness of our country can be exploited so that those elderly who enter a home remain involved in the community and active.
He mentioned the day centers spread around the island, the University of the Third Age, the night centers and the wide range of services offered in the heart of the Gozitan communities. The Prime Minister said that these, together with new clinics in the community and health centers are continuing to ensure that the elderly live comfortably, with full accessibility to the services offered.
Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri claimed, “This is a very important investment because nowadays we can say that we have a home for the elderly of the highest level which will be welcoming around 120 elderly people. But more than that, a home that will be raising the quality of life for our elderly. The residents who have already moved in and are living here have given us very positive comments and I am convinced that this will be a house of the highest standards for all those who will be living here and for the workers who will be providing their service 24 hours every day in this residence.”
Before the inauguration, the Prime Minister Robert Abela and the Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri met with the residents and workers of the house. They were accompanied by the managers of CareMalta who are operating Dar San Jużepp.
Photos: OPM, DOI
