New Sliema dementia day centre opens

A new state-run dementia day centre in Sliema was opened on Tuesday. 

The centre, the fifth of its kind in Malta, will allow relatives in the area to take their loved ones suffering from dementia to the centre and spend the day. 

Research from 2021 says that around 8,000 people in Malta are living with the condition. 

And with lifespans increasing, the number of dementia cases is also expected to rise, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela said at the event inaugurating the centre. 

The centre is full of photos that are meant to remind patients of their youth. Photo: Jonathan Borg

“Places like this are fundamental to handling dementia in our communities and are part of our dementia strategy, 'Reaching New Heights',” Abela said. 

The new centre is a converted church-owned property on Cathedral Street in a central part of the locality.

The centre can welcome 12 patients at a time, and around 60 are expected to use the centre each year. 

The government spent around €100,000 refurbishing the building, which had previously been in a state of neglect.

The centre is laid out in a similar way to a house, featuring a living room, kitchen, backyard and other spaces.

It also has a multi-sensory room equipped with technology to help with dementia care, Active Ageing and Community Care CEO Steve Agius said. 

"Through interactive tools, assistive technologies, sensory stimulation, and digital support systems, the centre will help improve cognitive engagement, promote independence, support carers, and enhance the overall quality of life of persons living with dementia," he said.

Agius added that the technology would not replace human interaction, however, and the centre will have a "very high patient to staff ratio".

The centre includes a kitchen and spaces for patients to spend their time. Photo: Jonathan Borg

The property is decorated with old photos of Malta, featuring scenes such as the Sliema Chalet and old bus terminal around the Triton Fountain in Valletta.

There are also items that elderly people might remember from their younger days, such as a rediffusion set (hard-wired radio). 

“People with dementia often remember their younger days far better than the present, that’s why these things are here,” active ageing junior minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea told Times of Malta. 

He said day centres especially help the loved ones of those who have dementia. 

“Patients with dementia can become fully dependent on their relatives, who make great sacrifices. Centres like this give respite to caregivers who can have peace of mind that the person they care for is in a safe and serene environment,” he said. 

Having a day centre also plays a big role in ensuring that people can continue living with their families and within their communities for as long as possible, he said. 

Health minister Jo Etienne Abela (second from right) and active ageing Junior ministe (far right) at the press event inaugurating the centre. Photo: Jonathan Borg