Agreement to open new Active Ageing Centre in Siġġiewi signed

An agreement to open a new Active Ageing Centre in Siġġiewi was signed yesterday

A few months ago, Active Ageing and Community Care invited all local councils to increase active ageing opportunities in localities around the islands. The Siġġiewi Local Council was one that had accepted this invitation, a statement by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Active Ageing Silvio Parnis read.

“Currently, there is a Day Centre in Siġġiewi which opens every Tuesday and Thursday. Over 100 elderly people living in this locality attend this centre every week. This is why the need to open an additional Active Ageing Centre was felt. This centre will be open every Monday from 9am till noon. The aim of this service is to attract more people, including those who are not interested in attending the Day Centre.”

Parnis said that, by means of this service, the elderly living in this locality will be able to meet and socialise much more easily, as well as learn several new skills. “Furthermore, these sessions will help the elderly stay physically and mentally healthy. A teacher and a physiotherapist will chair several of these sessions. These sessions will also serve as an opportunity for the elderly to teach each other.”

The parliamentary secretary also said that, in order to increase the active participation of the elderly, the local council, in collaboration with the Active Ageing and Community Care, is also providing transport services. Parliamentary Secretary Parnis concluded by urging the elderly to attend these sessions, and called on all local councils to continue increasing initiatives that promote active ageing in our community.

Currently, there are 21 Day Centres and eight Active Ageing Centres across Malta and Gozo.