Points from a Speech delivered by the Hon. Dr. L. Buhagiar, Parliamentary Secretary for the Care of the Elderly, at the closing of a short course organised by INIA delaing with "Income Security for the Elderly"

It is important to convince the authorities that by making use of Home Help, one would be saving money when compared to institutionalisation of patients. One should also be careful,so as to reduce, abuse of this important service. This is counter-acted by making use of a questionnaire which will identify the real needs of the elderly concerned.

When one develops a service it is of utmost importance that it is planned in a way that it is sustained in the long run. This is to avoid a situation that in the long run , one would not be able to sustain it financially.

The elderly themselves need to be trained to make good use of the service, so that the policy is successfully implemented.

People have to be informed in a way to make it possible for them to have other funds available, such as private pension schemes, to support them in the retirement stage, instead of relying solely on pensions.

There is a need for on going assessments of schemes. Sometimes alterations need to be implemented to make the system more acceptable by the elderly, and also cost-effective.

Satisfaction of INIA is much felt by the Maltese government and it is apparent by financial and non-financial co-operation. The field of the elderly is new and still experimental and in due course this gives more importance to such meeting. It is also of great satisfaction for INIA to see participants going back to their countries and implement the experiences gained in Malta.