Nov 25 – GSLP-Libs Reaffirm Duty To Look After The Elderly
The completion of two purpose-built residential blocks for the elderly and an extensive refurbishment of Mount Alvernia will ensure that senior citizens get all the support and care they deserve, according to the GSLP-Liberal Alliance.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday afternoon, Samantha Sacramento, whose ministerial portfolio over the last four years has included social services, said: “We feel very strongly that we have a duty to look after the elderly community.”
She said that, while in office, her party had opened the John Mackintosh Home at the site of the old St Bernard’s Hospital and a new hospital ward (Calpe Ward).
Ms Sacramento also highlighted the success of the Day Centre at Waterport Terraces which “improves the quality of life” of around 100 senior citizens every week.
Speaking about the state of domiciliary care when she was elected into Government in 2011, she said that some people had been on a waiting list for such help since 2004.
“This was completely unacceptable,” she added.
Senior citizens are now professionally assessed by a social worker to determine their needs, she explained, adding that the domiciliary care had increased in the last four years and is set to continue growing should the Alliance be re-elected tomorrow.
Dr John Cortes, who has been Minister for Health since 2011, said that the GSLP-Libs had radically improved care facilities for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Looking forward to its manifesto pledges, the party says that it will continue its policy of not taxing occupational pensions and maintaining no inheritance tax.
The party also says that it will reform Social Insurance and equalize the pensionable age for men and woman at 60.
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