A Vision for Active Ageing: Living Longer, Living Better

Hon. Malcolm Paul Agius Galea has once again shown what it means to plan with foresight and compassion. In his latest contribution to the national discussion, he reminded us that the future of Malta’s elderly is not simply about adding years to life, but about adding life to years.

The consultation held under the framework of Envision2050 brought together key stakeholders from across the active ageing sector — voices that matter because they are closest to the challenges and opportunities our elderly face every day. The theme was simple yet powerful: “Our dream for Active Ageing: to live longer, to live better.”

Building a Society that Values Every Generation

The discussion highlighted four pillars that will shape the future of active ageing in Malta:

• Social participation: ensuring that our elderly remain active members of society, engaged, respected, and never left behind.

• Community care: building strong, localised services that allow older citizens to remain in their homes and communities, surrounded by familiarity and dignity.

• Rehabilitation: providing the right support to help people recover from health setbacks, enabling them to enjoy independence for as long as possible.

• Specialist geriatric health: investing in expertise and facilities tailored specifically for the needs of older generations.

A Long-Term Vision

What stands out most is the forward-looking approach. Planning for the next 25 years means ensuring that our parents, grandparents, and eventually ourselves, will benefit from a system that is not only effective and sustainable, but also deeply humane.

This is not about short-term fixes. It is about building a future where ageing is not seen as a burden, but as a stage of life rich in value, wisdom, and opportunity.

Hon. Malcolm Paul Agius Galea’s initiative shows the Labour Government’s commitment to creating a caring society, where every citizen can aspire not only to a longer life, but a better one.