An agreement was signed today between Active Ageing and Community Care (AACC) and the Foundation for the Information Technology Accessibility (FITA). The agreement was signed by the CEOs of the respective government entities in the presence of the Minister for Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti. This agreement aims to improve and facilitate the lives of the elderly living in Malta.
Through this agreement, the elderly will be able to try various technological means available in the market, Smart Home Technology, with the necessary training and professional help. This advanced technology, which has already left a positive impact in several other European countries, offers the opportunity to elderly people, especially those suffering from any medical problem, to have a healthier and easier way of life. This will help them to keep living independently in their own homes within the community.
Minister Jo Etienne Abela stated that “It is of utmost importance that we take care of the vulnerable and elderly people so that they can live independently in their homes.” The Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to give the necessary help to everyone in need so that no one is excluded from Maltese society.
Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti also spoke about the importance of governmental entities to preserve the social values that this government embraces. He said that the government is committed to continue its work related to vulnerable and disabled people in order to give them the dignity they deserve, and for them to be active members in the community.
The CEO of FITA, Mr Carlo Stivala stated that “FITA has already been promoting training programmes in IT for vulnerable or disabled people in various localities around Malta and Gozo. This agreement will bring the technological world and the elderly closer together to promote active ageing by assisting them in their day-to-day activities.” He said that the next step is to find a suitable place where various businesses can expose their technological equipment so that the elderly can experience how this equipment can facilitate their lives.
The CEO of AACC, Dr Renzo De Gabriele, claimed that “We must continue to address the challenge of digital illiteracy among the elderly to continue helping the elderly to remain active in every sphere of society. Through the connections of the virtual world, the elderly are also being given the necessary attention not to feel alone and isolated.” This agreement will lead the elderly to experience the advances in technology that are relevant to their lives and that can be used daily so that they can continue to live in their own home, Dr De Gabriele concluded.
The Smart Home Technology project will be launched in the coming months so that elderly people have the chance to experience technological means to continue living independently in the community.
Source: Office of the Prime Minister