Optimising Opportunities in Old Age

The concept of active ageing has only been established in past decade, however one questions what is truly understood by the implications of active ageing –namely, health, participation and security. Effectively, older adults in this day and age are encouraged to be more active, yet the intrinsic meaning merits attention to optimize opportunities in old age. Moreover, active ageing should be understood within domains that link quality-of-life and aspects that interrelate the conceptualization of how we perceive old age, writes Noel Borg, Chief Operating Officer, CareMalta Group.

In all care homes, managed by CareMalta, we promote and enhance the concept of active ageing in order to improve the quality of life of each resident and to promote healthy living. Through different activities organized, residents are encouraged to participate to fully engage in wellness.

This year is the 30th Anniversary of CareMalta Group, and over these past thirty years, we created exceptional services for the elderly. As a company, CareMalta gains the residents’ full trust and remains the leader in care by ascertaining that each and every member of the team works each day with a proper sense of integrity, where quality is non-negotiable, and where safety is central in all practices.

Old Age Is A Blessing

The appreciation of old age in our societies is based on values, however, ageism is the agnostic catalyst to the comprehension of this. We live in an era that despite setting an active ageing perspective, limits the same notion though ageist methodologies.

Older adults are a wealth of information and knowledge, thus the applicability of such is our responsibility. To nurture and flourish knowledge is the basis of why older adults are fundamental. To have older adults contributing to society is beyond tangible understanding.

Not Be A Taboo And Not A Boundary

Old age should be sought as a complement in one’s life. A person does not opt which path of life he lives, but rather seeks to evolve from birth till old age. This leads to set key aspects upfront in realizing that everyone can contribute, in every stage in life. Potential of life is crucial in active ageing. Everyone can contribute if the contribution is aligned with a person’s potential.

Realistic Goals To Achieve Active Ageing

We cannot place older adults under one umbrella. As we age, every person has more distinctive features, and more individualization of self, especially though the expression of identity. Therefor every person should be geared to contribute and express one’s strength where he or she can succeed. Futile approaches to active ageing need to be streamlined, to ensure that every older adult has realistic goals in achieving the status of active ageing. We should not lead to a false misinterpretation on one’s own understanding, but rather consolidate different approaches in attaining holistic outcomes.

ABOUT NOEL BORG, COO, CareMalta Group. Qualified as a nurse by profession and having worked in the cardiac intensive care unit at Mater Dei Hospital, Noel Borg joined the group in October 2005 as a staff nurse and later on as a deputy manager. In 2010, Noel was appointed as Facility Manager of Casa Arkati, Mosta where he was responsible for the overall management of the home and later in 2012 he was appointed Nursing Manager of Zammit Clapp Hospital Residential Home. After four and a half years, he was promoted to Senior Nursing Manager of CareMalta Ltd until 2022. Today Noel occupies the role of a Chief Operating Officer. He is also appointed as a non-executive Director with HILA Ltd. and CareMalta Group Ltd. Noel holds a Diploma in Health Science (Nursing), BSc. (Hons) Nursing, International Diploma in Human Resources and Personnel management and Masters of Arts in Bioethics. He also graduated at post-graduate level in Patient Safety and Clinical Risk Management. Noel is also a member of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, and a visiting lecturer at the University of Malta in both the faculty of Health Science and Faculty of Social Well Being.