Senior Times (July 2017) by Times of Malta

SENIOR TIMES July 2017

Malta’s monthly newspaper for the elderly

In full colour This month’s village feast celebrations. SEE PAGES 6 & 7

naqra frIsk

PHOTO: MATTHEW MIRABELLI

SEE PAGE 11

In father’s tyre tracks Joseph Busuttil from the Old Motors Club meets collectors Joseph Vella and his son Roderick. SEE PAGES 16 & 17

SENIOR TIMES ‒ July 2017

EDITOR’S WELCOME

IN THIS ISSUE

Summer is a little bit of magic

n paper, the Maltese summer shouldn’t work. It should be an utter failure; a comedy in one act that is abandoned and booed by the actors and audience alike after just one bungled run. First of all, it’s too hot – the kind of stifling heat that makes you huff, puff and mutter that same mantra that we repeat every silly season – it’s never been so hot. In reality, it has always been this hot – yet the intensity of the heat takes us by surprise every year. The traffic clogs – as does your appetite – and windowshattering fireworks wake you up at eight in the morning. The beach is so packed with bodies that it takes you a quarter of an hour to reach the waves. And when you do, you find that there isn’t a free patch of water. But in reality, and against all odds, the Maltese summer works. There is the beauty of a chunk of crusty Maltese bread, heavy with tuna, tomatoes, mint and basil, and dripping with oil. Eat it on the beach, as the sun is going down, and the experience is comparable to dining out in a threestar Michelin restaurant. Without the hefty bill. Summer siestas are beautiful. There’s a bit of breeze dancing through the open window. The curtains shuffle a pretty little number. The fan whirrs lazily and the bed sheets are the right side of cool. There’s no need to set the alarm – you’ll wake up when you do. And at night, there’s a big sky over a tiny island. A couple of stars twinkle and an aeroplane scratches the clouds, heading to faraway lands. Suddenly there’s a whoosh and a splash of colour bursts over a brightly lit church. It’s a cobweb of colours; as beautiful as a child’s early drawing. Like a dream, the Maltese summer is over too fast. But it leaves behind it sweet memories, like crumbs from a crunchy ftira. And next year, we’ll do it again.

Stanley

SENIOR TIMES JULY 2017 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Stanley Borg E-mail: seniortimes @timesofmalta.com CONTRIBUTORS Alina Anisimova Carmel Baldacchino Tonio Bonello Joseph Busuttil Anton B. Dougall Dun Jonathan Farrugia Marvin Formosa Christine Galea Charlotte Stafrace PUBLISHERS Allied Newspapers Limited Strickland House, 341, St Paul Street, Valletta VLT 1211. www.timesofmalta.com DESIGN Christian Busuttil SALES Marion Muscat Tel: 2559 4208 E-mail: marion.muscat @timesofmalta.com © 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

3. Int u jien Ejja niddedikaw ftit ħin għall-anzjani tagħna, jgħid Tonio Bonello.

4. The sound of his music Longino Farrugia, who started making and repairing accordions when he was 55, tells Alina Anisimova how it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

6. In full colour This month, various towns and villages in Malta and Gozo celebrate their patron saint.

8. Music to my ears Whether it’s Elvis Presley or staple Maltese tunes, music often provides the key to unlocking the potential of older adults, says Charlotte Stafrace.

9. A lifetime of love The best gift we can offer our parents is the gift of ourselves, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

10. Active ageing and care homes for older persons Older persons in care homes are a social resource that society cannot waste, says Marvin Formosa.

11. Naqra frisk Jelly bil-berquq u raspberries jaħdem sew kontra s-sħana, jghid Anton B. Dougall.

14. Pictures of the world This month’s news highlights captured in show-stopping pictures.

16. In father’s tyre tracks Joseph Busuttil from the Old Motors Club meets collectors Joseph Vella and his son Roderick.

18. Goals galore When Ferencvaros visited Malta for the 1937 Christmas Tourney, they showed world class attacking prowess, says Carmel Baldacchino.

21. Il-labtijiet tal-Karmnu Il-labtu huwa sinjal tal-preżenza ta’ Marija, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

OPINJONI

Int u jien Ejja niddedikaw ftit ħin għall-anzjani tagħna, jgħid Tonio Bonello.

ollox għandu ħinu. Hekk il-mistrieħ. Bosta’ ġenituri bħal dan iż-żmien jieħdu nifs twil ta’ mistrieħ wara disa’ xhur ta’ taħbit bl-ulied jippreparawlhom il-kolazzjon, l-uniformi dejjem nadifa u mgħoddija, iwassluhom l-iskola u jmorru lura għalihom, joqgħodu magħhom għall-istudju meħtieġ u Alla biss jaf x’aktar. Li forsi l-kbar għandhom tentazzjoni jinsew f ’din l-istorja kollha hu li anke l-istess ulied ikunu ħerqana jasal dan iż-żmien ta’ ftit mistrieħ tul sena ħidma ma’ taqta’ xejn. Kważi m’hemmx eta llum minn meta wliedna jidħlu fid-dinja adulta f’kuntenst ta’ mpenn. Sewwa li t-tfal, wara tant ħidma jkunu ppremjati wkoll. Kemm hu importanti li aħna lkoll ikollna xi ħaġa fil-ħajja xi nħarsu ‘l quddiem b’mod pożittiv, ta’ gost, pjaċir, mistrieħ. Bl-istess qies il-ġenituri għandhom jieħdu din l-okkażjoni ta’ dawn il-ftit xhur ta’ mistrieħ. Sakemm possibbli, jnaqqsu ftit mill-pressjoni tax-xogħol,

jieħdu xi jiem barra mill-impjieg tagħhom biex ikunu fil-kumpanija ta’ wliedhom u jgwadu lil xulxin. Tħallux żmien jintilef. Dwar l-ilma ngħidu, ‘kull qatra’ tgħodd’. Dwar uliedna jien ngħid li kull sekonda tgħodd. U kollox jagħmel id-differenza. Is-sempliċita’ u l-innoċenza tat-tfal tgħallimna li mhux neċessarjament xi cruise ta’ xahar f ’Miami u l-Bahamas, mistenni jew meħtieġ. La qed ngħixu Malta se nuża ikla tipika Maltija sempliċi li kulħadd jgħożż. Kisra ħobż tal-Malti biż-żejt u mħawra b’dawk l-affarijiet li jħobbu wliedek fuq xtajta mal-baħar. Jekk hemm bżonn anke bilqiegħda fuq ir-ramel. Din ukoll tagħmel id-differenza kollha. It-tfal, sakemm ma ndaħħlux fihom aħna stess ċerti aspettazzjonijiet, ma jarawx kbir. Jikkuntentaw irwiehom b’kollox, basta f ’kumpannija tajba; il-ġenituri tagħhom u, għal min għandu, ħuthom. Iżda mhux biss. Fis-soċjoloġija u fil-psikoloġija tgħallimna dwar iddifferenza bejn il-familja nukleari u dik

Il-familja estiża hi dik li Malta ta’ dari kienet tant tirrispetta u tgħożż.

estiża. Nukleari mhux għax tista’ tisplodi, għalkemm ħafna drabi, għax aħna umani, ġieli nisplodu wkoll! Din tfisser, il-familja fl-element bażiku tagħha, jiġifieri l-omm, il-missier u l-ulied. Il-familja estiża hi dik li Malta ta’ dari kienet tant tirrispetta u tgħożż. Tinkludi n-nanniet, kuġini, zijiet, u xi drabi saħansitra s-sekondi kuġini u l-bużnanniet. Maż-żmien ħajjet il-bniedem ħadet xejra oħra. Il-bidla li saret dawra tond madwar il-globu laħqet lilna wkoll. Illum ħafna anzjani jgħixu waħedhom ħajja ndipendenti għalihom fi djarhom stess. Oħrajn residenti f ’bosta djar talanzjani li nsibu f ’Malta u Għawdex. Dawk provduti mill-gvern, tal-privat, kif ukoll tal-knisja. Huwa fatt li dawn l-anzjani, fl-ambjent fejn jgħixu, aktarx li kollha jew kważi jsirulhom numru ta’ attivitajiet regolari tul ix-xahar fl-ambjent tal-ħbieb tagħhom residenti. Dawk li jgħixu fi djarhom għandhom opportunitajiet kemm iridu biex jintegraw f ’diversita’ bla qies ta’ inizjattivi u attivitajiet ta’ kull ġeneru.

Jibqa’ iżda l-fatt li għeżeż mill-familja, dawk l-aktar viċin tiegħu l-bniedem m’għandux. U hawn fejn xtaqt nasal illum. Ejjew dan is-sajf nagħmlu xi ħaġa differenti. Min jaf kemm ikun hawn ferħ intern li kieku fil-ġimgħat li ġejjin, kull familja timpenja ruħha li darba f’ġimgħa jew kull ħmistax tibda toħloq attivita’ li għaliha tibda tistieden xi anzjani qrib tagħha; ġenituri, nanniet jew familjari oħra. U jekk hawn min forsi m’għandu lħadd, jasal wasla sa waħda minn dawn iddjar tal-anzjani. Jistaqsi hemm u jagħmel arranġament mal-awtoritajiet biex iwettaq dan il-ħsieb nobbli. Naturalment bilkunsens tal-istess anzjani li, partikolarment ma jkollhom ħadd li jiġi minnhom, inkella m’għadu jżuruhom ħadd. Titilfux opportunita’ bħal din. Tkun qed tgħin parti mis-soċjeta’ li jixirqilha kull dinjita’ li tgħix hi wkoll, kuntenta, ferħana. Fuq kollox tkun qed tgħin int stess lilek innifsek u lill-uliedek tkomplu tikbru u timmaturaw. Dak li tiżra, taħsad. Kif trabbi l’uliedek, hekk l-istess huma mbagħad jagħmlu ma’ wliedhom. Jekk inkomplu nħeġġu soċjeta’ taħseb, mhux aktar b’mod egoist, mill-lum jista’ jkollna ħajja u dinja aħjar. Il-paċi miegħek... Tonio Bonello huwa l-editur ta’ Veterani, pubblikazzjoni ta’ kull xahar maħruġa mit-Taqsima Informazzjoni u Komunikazzjoni tad-Direttorat għall-Anzjanità Attiva u Kura fil-Komunità.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

INTERVIEW

The sound of his music Longino Farrugia, who started making and repairing accordions when he was 55, tells Alina Anisimova how it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

ongino Farrugia, 76, has been running his own business and repairing accordions for more than two decades. He has an affinity for wood and in fact has always worked with this material, and not just to make accordions. Farrugia’s house in Zejtun is full of unique pieces of furniture, all of which he made himself – there are the antiquelooking armchairs, sofas and chests of drawers made out of rare types of wood. Some of these pieces took up to seven years to craft. “I made this for Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, the fifth president of Malta,” he proudly tells me, pointing to a little coffee table. “In fact, I liked it so much that I also made one for myself.” Longino owned his own accordion when he was around 12. The sound of the instrument is what fascinated

him the most and later, he even started to give private lessons in accordion playing to younger students. When he turned 23, he decided to get married and had to give up his passion and opt for a more secure career route.

The way an instrument sounds depends on how you tune it “I had no money, so I sold my accordion and bought a cooker,” he laughs. “This meant that I had to dedicate myself to my trade as an engineering technician.”

Longino decided to go to England to learn the trade of gearcutting. After he returned, he worked at the Malta Drydocks. “I performed some difficult jobs as a gear-cutter. Then I got a job in repairing business machines, and after that I moved to the ship repair section, repairing the engineering parts of ships,” he says. When Longino’s two daughters and a son completed their education, he decided to quit the job and follow his heart. “My wife asked me ‘What are you going to do?’ and I replied that I wanted to enjoy the instrument I love.” Longino was already 55 when he finally got to play his favourite instrument. But then the idea of making a career out of repairing musical instruments crossed his mind. “I bought an accordion here in Malta, but it wasn’t very good and I went to someone who was

supposed to repair it, but in the end he failed,” he says. “So on my way home, I started wondering whether I could learn to repair accordions myself.” Longino’s ideas evolved and he went off to Italy to study the art of accordion making. “They saw that I was serious about it and they accepted me,” he says. “I visited Italy

seven times and they trained me well.” On his return, Longino opened his own workshop and devoted himself to making and repairing musical instruments. The years of effort and experience in mechanical engineering finally paid off. “I practised the repair in wood-working machines and I

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

PHOTOS: MATTHEW MIRABELLI

got interested in wood, so that’s how I started collecting the wood and making something out of it and what led me to making accordions,” he explains. Longino soon built a strong reputation in Malta. “I even make my own tools for violins,” Longino says, adding that he is very passionate about his work.

“I believe that you either do a good job, or nothing. The way an instrument sounds depends on how you tune it. Any musical instrument is very delicate, especially an accordion. There are almost 600 accordions in Malta according to Longino – and he repaired around 400 of them. “That’s not a large number. But the ones that I repair won’t come back here for any repairs in 20 years,” he smiles. “The violin is more difficult as it’s very delicate,” he says. “In fact, I have a tinnitus – I don’t

hear perfectly but I rely on the instrument which is perfect. When I finish violin I take it to two or three great violinists to check because I want to be sure that whatever I do is perfect.” Longino’s clients range from local hobbyists and professionals to international musicians like the Russian accordionist Yuri Sarazin.

“I heard him playing in Valletta and I went to him and said that there was something wrong with the sound of his accordion. Yuri agreed but said that he couldn’t find anyone to repair it in Malta. So I offered to repair it myself. “When he came to collect it, he said the sound of this accordion is very special.”

Musical instrument building takes incredible patience and passion. Longino believes that the only way to succeed is to strive for perfection. “Unfortunately, I’m the only one in Malta. I would like to find someone to teach them. But it has to be the right person. If you’re not perfectionist, it’s useless.”

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

FEASTS

In full colour

This month, various towns and villages in Malta and Gozo celebrate their patron saint. Churches and houses dress up in their Sunday best and villagers eagerly compete in friendly rivalry. Cue a spectacle of festoons, fireworks, bands and flags. PHOTOS: MATTHEW MIRABELLI, CHRIS SANT FOURNIER, DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI

FEAST OF ST MARGARET July 21-23, at Sannat, Gozo

FEAST OF ST ANNE July 28-30, at Marsaskala

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL July 21-23, at Żurrieq

FEAST OF ST LAWRENCE July 28-30, at San Lawrenz, Gozo

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS July 28-30, at St Paul’s Bay

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF POMPEI July 28-30, at Marsaxlokk

FEAST OF ST JOSEPH July 28-30, at Żebbuġ, Malta

FEAST OF CHRIST THE KING July 28-30, at Paola

SENIOR TIMES â&#x20AC;&#x2019; july 2017

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

AGEING

Music to my ears Whether it’s Elvis Presley or staple Maltese tunes, music often provides the key to unlocking the potential of older adults, says Charlotte Stafrace.

usic transcends beauty. It makes us communicate and connect. It is relevant at any age. My work with older adults has shown me the way music opens up individuals to dialogue, urging them to move their body or sing to it. It quietly opens paths for reminiscence or even contemplation, or simply just encourages focus or gives energy. Research shows that movement encouraged by music can play an important role in stimulating positive brain changes. We all have recollections of the feeling of exhilaration after a night of dancing and listening to music. Conversation can also be inspired through music. There is joy at rediscovering the memories connected to a song, the people with whom you shared it, where you heard it, what you wore at the dance. Of course, it provides ample opportunities of connecting with others, who after all, might have shared the same experiences. Those memories and feelings can be ‘replayed’ recalling the joys, and, why not, the occasional sad memory too. Music can find a way in with the visually impaired, those suffering loneliness and depression, others with dementia – the list is endless. Research also suggests that the music within us is the last thing to go. Finding the right music which appeals to the individual is important and it is no mean feat – some want to listen to Elvis Presley, others want Italian music, some want Maltese

Movement encouraged by music can play an important role in stimulating positive brain changes.

popular tunes, some want jazz, and a few want country. My current ‘active age’ playlist runs at 200 tunes or musical interludes, from Wurlitzer organ music, to Glen Miller, to Frank Sinatra and The Greenfields – but Doris Day still rocks! The feeling of remembering Que Sera Sera, music, words and all, always resonates with the whole group. The trick is finding the right balance in order that the sessions also reflect the participants’ interests. Hardly any of the core groups I work with request classical music, although I still try to infuse it, either at the start of a session, or else to

Charlotte Stafrace during a session in Paola.

wind down, or as part of a quieter activity. Sometimes I use classical music to encourage creative movement, or when I see that the group is open enough to enjoy unfamiliar music. I believe many fear classical music – it is a kind of step into the unknown, so possibly having the luxury of live instruments and music, could help to make it accessible.

Music can also have an overall therapeutic effect There is also another undisputed factor – many older adults are simply not asked to engage in discussing music. How about: ‘do you like this piece of music – how does it make you feel?’ This in itself could be a very valid activity. Music can also have an overall therapeutic effect. Participants will open up when they listen to music; it helps them to relax and can also help fill in the gaps, when words do not suffice. It’s daunting at any

age to join a group, but when you do, listening to something together, making a connection can be truly magical. Music encourages movement. A few months back, I was at a home for the elderly, with a group with mobility challenges. I was asked by their carer how I had managed to get them to exercise. I had simply hidden the fact that we were exercising through the use of colourful scarves while moving to Italian tarantella music. When working with music, I have also found that not only moods are lifted but also attitudes get shifted. It lays the path onto new challenges. Another mood booster I’ve had some success with is creating participatory body percussion – making rhythms. When you think about it, all of us have rhythm; we have all played with rhythm perhaps when we were young. Even a playtime song like Bum Bum il-Bieb encourages a go at clapping. We can also try singing. Most of us can hum a tune, even if we don’t know the lyrics, so I encourage humming if singing the words is not possible. For those who like to read, I try to get song ‘requests’ for the next session, and I get the lyrics printed out. Week after week, it’s great to see huge efforts at

following not just the tune but also the words. And then, of course, there’s the collective euphoria one feels when singing – if you’ve ever performed live singing, or else formed part of a choir, you will know the feeling. I have met some wonderful older adults who are really into music – an ex Maestro whose life has been imbued with music, some who sang with bands; others who danced to the live bands at the Chalet; many who tangoed or still do sequence dancing; one or two still sing traditional Maltese għana; many others whose life and soul stemmed from the village band club; a lady with the most beautiful hands telling me of the time she performed in an international piano concert… At this age, we just need to convince ourselves it’s fine to restart and give it another go. Some older adults, I have to say, are still line-dancing away, and are better movers, in their 70s, than I will ever be. I am full of admiration for their perseverance. In the ageing sector, you will soon realise you can exploit the hidden with the power of music. Charlotte Stafrace runs active age sessions in day care centres and homes for the elderly.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

OPINION

A lifetime of love

Pay tribute to your parents every day.

TI C HR I S

The best gift we can offer our parents is the gift of ourselves, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

rowing older seems to be taking its toll on my younger, somewhat rebellious, self. Not that I ever was very troublesome in my coming-of-age years (if one excludes a consistent tendency to speak my mind too plainly and my insistence upon having things my way). Besides, there is no denying that since my days of early motherhood, which were characterised by a strong sense of discipline, as the days go by – and they really do go fast when one is on the wrong side of 50 – I am mellowing into a more relaxed and agreeable mother; and more-so, grandmother. Indeed, my two grandchildren can vouch for the fact that I’d sooner raise a smile, rather than chide them, in response to many of their sometimes not-so-acceptable antics. I’ve become more tolerant of most shortcomings, but one thing which really irks me is lack of respect. Undeniably, many parents who are my peers also feel that they are losing this battle for respect in today’s contemporary society. I suppose God must have had us parents very much in his heart when he inscribed the fourth commandment on the second tablet of stone. This commandment, which also

includes respect towards children and in a more general sense, respect towards authority, is the bridge which links together our love and duty towards God, with our love and duty towards other people. Incidentally, just like God, our parents shared in creating us. Yet, in spite of giving us this great gift of life, as well as all the love that they shower upon us and the sacrifices (and also, inevitably, mistakes!) they make on our behalf, there are times when we are all guilty of not paying enough attention to them – and to their advice – even though we know that they have our best interests at heart. People who know me – and who also know that both of my parents died at a relatively young age – may claim that it’s easy for me to pontificate on the fourth commandment, but it is precisely this acute sense of bereavement that prompts my reflection upon this subject. Not a day goes by when I don’t wish that I could enjoy my parents’ company for at least one more hour. How I long for an opportunity to seek my father’s sound advice, and watch my mother busy at her sewing machine or toiling over a hot stove. It seems to me as if today, most of us are so overwhelmed by far too much to

Not a day goes by when I don’t wish that I could enjoy my parents’ company for at least one more hour do, and we barely have any time to dedicate to those who devoted all their time and energy in order that we may have a future. I read somewhere that ‘ageism’ is a word that has been coined to identify our society’s negative stereotyping of the elderly. In the past, stemming from the biblical tradition, our elders were mostly identified as possessing a great wisdom. Today, age tends to be identified as being a period of incompetency, as well as being the onset of physical and mental deterioration. To become

old in our culture is very often nothing less than a curse. How far we have gone from the biblical view which demands respect for the aged and honour for one’s own parents! Indeed, there are many elderly parents who find themselves in dire need of companionship, and others who are so often denied the help and support they so freely gave to their children. We are accustomed to writing beautiful tributes to our parents upon their death. These tributes are a powerful testament of honour and connection. But why wait until that sad, irreversible moment to pay tribute to a beloved mother or father? The best gift we can offer our parents is the gift of ourselves, and an active participation in the lives we share with our own spouses and children. So, send flowers for no particular reason, pick up the phone just to catch up, or use a special skill that you possess to meet a particular need which they may have. And always speak kindly of them, using words that bring life. Remember, God has used your parents to make you the person you are today. Be thankful for them and appreciate their worth while you still have the chance. I wish I could.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

AGEING

Active ageing and care homes for older persons Older persons in care homes are a social resource that society cannot waste, says Marvin Formosa.

Residents will have the opportunity to keep on learning that their personhood is still valued Activities may include discussion groups, reading sessions, and social-cultural outings. Residents are to be encouraged to engage in lifehistory project where they record their past, the present, and most importantly, the future in terms of unfulfilled ambitions, dreams, and aspirations, which they can showcase to their relatives, friends, and formal carers. Interest-groups ranging from choirs, horticulture therapy, reflexology, keep fit, and sports activities should also be encouraged, with residents being empowered to run their own programmes as many do have a wide range of abilities and expertise. Indeed, older

in a better position to prolong a sense of well-being even after their eightieth birthdays. This warrants that national policies on active ageing, and their practical recommendations, focus more centrally on the needs and interests of older persons who, for various reasons, cannot participate actively in the social sphere. For example, residential and nursing homes should provide opportunities for their residents to engage in various activities, under the direct supervision of activity coordinators who have an educational background in that interface of gerontology and adult learning.

here is no doubt that the term ‘active ageing’ has become a catchphrase of our era, a slogan bandied about in conferences, symposia, and seminars by academics, policy-makers, trade unionists, non-governmental organisations and employers alike. This is to be welcomed since one does not have to go back many years when the adage ‘you cannot teach old dogs new tricks’ was firmly believed by much of the wider population; thus trusting that physical and intellectual abilities decline with increasing age. However, most stakeholders still hold an erroneous understanding of the term ‘active ageing’, equating it solely with the accomplishments of older persons who are healthy and mobile. Many an award, if not all, tends to be bestowed to older persons who are still actively engaged in either the labour market or volunteering enterprises, or who complete nontypical feats in later life such as being highly energetic in sports and outdoor activities. While this emphasis is understandable from a popular perspective, it runs the risk of elevating a cohort of older persons, the mobile and independent ones, at the expense of vulnerable peers, older persons who cannot perform the activities of daily living to the extent that they are either homebound or reside in care homes for older persons. Active ageing is not the exclusive prerogative of older persons living in the community, but constitutes a vision to be achieved by all – especially, I would add, by older persons residing in care homes and long-term care facilities. Although the link between active ageing and good health is a slippery one, and may never be unequivocally resolved, older people who continue to engage in physical exercises and cognitively stimulating activities have been found to be

N RV I

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Residential and nursing homes should provide opportunities for their residents to engage in various activities.

persons in care homes are a social resource that society cannot waste. Residents experiencing confusion and dementia, together with their carers, are not to be excluded, and instead, inspired to take part in reminiscence activities and memory classes which focus on the personal manner one experiences and remembers events, so as to re-live them in a way that is vivid and engaging. Through such interpersonal relationships residents will have the opportunity to keep on learning that their personhood is still valued, that they are valued, and that they still have some power over their own lives. The way forward is for care homes employ activity coordinators that facilitate active ageing environments. This role need not necessarily be a separate occupation but could be a ‘specialism’ taken on by any caring professional who could be spon-

sored to read for a post-secondary or tertiary qualification in social gerontology or adult education. Only so will long-term settings be successful in drawing together the seemingly disparate but ultimately overlapping acts of ‘active ageing’ and ‘caring’. This is, of course, is not the same as saying that local care homes for older persons are devoid of such a philosophy and active ageing enterprises. The Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older Persons stipulate that the “licensee shall undertake to promote a culture of Active Ageing [and] go beyond the traditional concept of ‘elderly care’ [to] enable residents to realise their full potential for physical, social, and mental wellbeing”. To meet this standard, many care homes employ activity coordinators although, one must add, the success of such posts is uneven. However, it is noteworthy that public care

homes for older persons coordinate a vast range of lifelong learning sessions as well as a sports day. Other activities organised in care homes include crafts and arts sessions, drama-therapy, reading sittings and intergenerational activities. At the St Vincent de Paul Long-Term Facility, activity sessions included movie nights, playing bingo, thematic discussions, reading sessions, board games, drawing sessions, and reminiscence activities. There is surely a long way to go to achieve optimal levels of active ageing in care homes, but if the advances witnessed in the past two years are an indication of what the coming years will bring, then the future is bright. Dr Marvin Formosa PhD (Gerontology) is the Head of the Department of Gerontology, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

TiSJir

Naqra frisk

Jelly bil-berquq u raspberries jaħdem sew kontra s-sħana, jgħid Anton B. Dougall. JELLY bil-berquq u RASPBERRIES Għandek bżonn: 600ml ħalib semi-skimmed 500g berquq 100g raspberries 50g + 2 imgħaref zokkor 4 folji ġelatina 3 mgħaref meraq tat-tuffieħ Essenza tal-vanilja Kif issajjar: Qiegħed il-folji tal-ġelatina ġo skutella u żid biżżejjed ilma sakemm dawn jigu mgħottijin. Ħallihom għal 10 minuti. Qiegħed il-ħalib flimkien mal-50g zokkor ġo kazzola u poġġihom fuq nar bati sakemm il-ħalib jiftaħ jagħli. Ħawwad il-ħin kollu, bilmod, biex iz-zokkor jinħall.

Neħħi minn fuq in-nar u żid lessenza tal-vanilja. Ħawwad tajjeb. Neħħi l-ġelatina mill-ilma u agħasarha tajjeb. Itfa it-taħlita talħalib u ħawwad tajjeb sakemm l-ingredjenti kollha jitħalltu sew. Ferra’ bil-mod f ’erba’ forom jew kikkri żgħar. Ħallihom jiksħu sew u wara poġġihom fil-friġġ għal mhux anqas minn tliet siegħat. Aħsel u aqsam il-berquq minnofs. Erġa aqsam kull nofs f ’erba’ biċċiet. Poġġihom ġo kazzola flimkien mal-meraq tat-tuffieħ u ż-żewġ mgħaref zokkor. Sajjar fuq nar baxx ħafna għal madwar ħames minuti. Il-berquq irid ikun artab immu mhux mgħaffeġ. Neħħi minn fuq in-nar u żid ir-raspberries. Ħalli it-taħlita tiksaħ. Neħħi l-jelly mill-forom u poġġi kull waħda fuq plattina. Żejjen bilberquq u r-raspberries mad-dawra ta’ kull waħda.

Din ir-riċetta meħuda mill-ktieb Fil-Kċina m’Anton: Ikel Bnin Għall-Kontroll tal-Kolesterol (BDL Publishing).

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1 8

EASY CROSSWORD 1

7 8

10 12

17 18

DOWN 1. Evil spirit (5) 2. Cover (7) 4. Zenith (4) 5. Roll of paper (6) 6. Sum (5) 7. Shoot (5) 9. Edge (3) 2. Go towards (4,3) 14. Sheltered side (3) 16. Antitoxin (5) 17. Searches (5) 19. Country (7) 20. Pulsate (5) 21. Naked figures (5) 23. German measles (7) 24. Distant (6) 25. To free (3) 27. Harmony (5) 28. Wanderer (5) 30. Highland games log (5) 32. Photograph (4) 33. Crib (3)

19 20

21 22

23 24

34. Type of coffee (5) 35. Tennis shot (3) 36. Showy display (5) 37. Change (5) 38. Deepness (5)

9 11

34 36

ACROSS 3. Hide away where half of us get new hats (5) 8. Land of initially weak beers? (5) 10. A charge exists for hiring them (5) 11. A mined extract of platinum (3) 12. Nominally, she’s not without grey matter (5) 13. A little girl meant to ramble in the country (7) 15. A frame in the artist’s studio (5) 18. Fishy ingredient for stuffing (3) 19. A head unearthed in the garden? (6) 21. Kid a communist it’s a dance (7) 22. Behind the right ear (4) 23. He’s said to have given Abel ‘stick’ (4) 24. Highly original form of male sin (7) 26. React fearfully to the cold? (6) 29. One briefly imprisoned for a trick? (3) 31. I say, Edward, that’s sharp! (5) 32. Playful baby snake? (7) 34. Let the learner have the hammer (5) 35. Article in good wood (3) 36. Show undue pride, having left the butter out? (5) 37. Are upset about no good passion (5) 38. In Wales, not the place for top people? (5)

ACROSS 3. Body part (5) 8. Pear cider (5) 10. Style of car (5) 11. Girl’s name (3) 12. Organ (5) 13. Intricate (7) 15. Fertile spot (5) 18. Vegetable (3) 19. State without proof (6)

21. Necessary (7) 22. Sixty minutes (4) 23. Loose scrum (4) 24. Speaker’s platform (7) 26. Batsman (6) 29. Chest bone (3) 31. Broom of twigs (5) 32. Motorcycle attachment (7)

JUNE ISSUE SOLUTIONS: Across: 1. Ambit 6. Stabs 9. Georgia 10. Agile 11. Lunar 12. Facet 13. Pivotal 15. Get 17. Lees

18. Scurry 19. Stone 20. Adonis 22. Dare 24. Dim 25. Salutes 26. Slack 27. Hippo 28. Aesop 29. Aimless 30. Yearn 31. Psalm. Down: 2. Magpie 3. Igloos 4. Tee 5. Trial 6. Silence 7. Taut 8. Beaver; 12. Fasts 13. Plead 14. Venom 15. Great 16. Tyres 18. Sneak 19. Sirloin 21. Divine 22. Duress 23. Recoil 25. Scold 26. Spar 28. Asp.

WORD SEARCH S

DOWN

1. Pulsating material? (5) 2. Attacked and destroyed the new fort (4,3) 4. They’re the many (4) 5. There’s a tree in the middle of the road! (6) 6. Meat men (5) 7. Crashed flier long imprisoned (5) 9. Tell stories for money, that is (3) 12. This creature may be part hen (7) 14. There’s nothing in returning a kiss (3) 16. Bit of a bloomer by the boys (5) 17. Taking a rest from veracity? (5) 19. Funny figures in black rock (7) 20. The end of a fox (5) 21. A fan embraces Joe, the villain! (5) 23. In Switzerland, they are not put up in tins (7) 24. Seated in decorous fashion (6) 25. Another denial? (3) 27. Buddy, very good about money (5) 28. Person, for instance, in the forefront of vegetarianism (5) 30. Dogs used by Speke (5) 32. To be out of work upsets some actresses (4) 33. Prisoner of the Gulag (3)

JUNE ISSUE SOLUTIONS: Across: 1. Match 6. Heaps 9. Haircut 10. PLA-I’d 11. R-O-ute 12. S-Co.-RN 13. G-azel-le 15. Vet 17. A-yes 18. De-sir-e 19. Speed 20. Street 22. Sec-t 24. Y-ea. 25. History 26. Me-dal 27. Spear 28. Minim 29. Year-Ned 30. Stood 31. N-ever. Down: 2. All day 3. C-hives 4. Had 5. P-rice 6. Hurried 7. Eton 8. Pu-TT-er 12. Slept 13. Ga-ss-y 14. Zebra 15. (Monte-)Video 16. Testy 18. Devil (rev) 19. Seve-red 21. Teapot 22. St-rid-e 23. Cruise 25. Harry 26. May-O 28. M-EN.

Arson Books Burying Cares Comma Cored Creep Cults Electronically Fowls

Foyer Garbs Godless Ignore Infused Kindly Laughingstocks Mercy Occur Prenatal

Preys Privy Resist Reuse Route Rural Sheep Smacks Smell Spire

Strew Taker Theme Tiffs Uneasily Unify Unique Vises Wallop Warms

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

COMPETITION

Richard Ellis Archive and Book Distributors Limited (BDL).

Ngħidu kelma QWIEL MALTIN U XI JFISSRU Ġebel ma ġebel ma jiltaqax, iżda wiċċ ma wiċċ jiltaqa’. Mountain does not meet mountain, but a face meets another face. Id-dinja rota, in-nies imgħażel u x-xitan idur u jagħżel. The world is a wheel and men are the fellowes, and the devil spins and chooses.

Imħabba Għamja by Emmanuel Portelli.

Min jitbellaħ għal mara jkun wasal għall-ħala. He who makes a fool of himself on account of a woman is as good as ruined. Iz-zakak jaqbeż u jitfarfar, iżda l-ħamiem iżoqq u jgargar. The wagtail hops and flaps its wings, but the male dove feeds and coos.

A Taste of Maltese Folklore by Joseph C Camilleri.

Presenting the past This month, we are once again giving away a set of 12 replica prints by Richard Ellis. To win, identify the locations (street and city) of the photograph on this page and send your answers via e-mail to seniortimes@timesofmalta.com or by post to ‘Senior Times Competition’, Allied Newspapers Limited, Strickland House, 341, St Paul Street, Valletta VLT 1211. The first correct answer that we receive will win a set of 12 replica prints by Richard Ellis. The second and third runner-up win one of the above-mentioned books, courtesy of Book Distributors Limited (BDL).

SUDOKU 1 4 8 3 5 2 6 9 7

9 3 6 4 1 7 5 8 2

6 7 5 9 2 8 1 4 3

4 2 1 6 7 3 8 5 9

8 9 3 1 4 5 2 7 6

3 6 4 2 8 9 7 1 5

5 8 2 7 3 1 9 6 4

7 1 9 5 6 4 3 2 8

4 6 9 2 3 6 8 7

3 8 7 2 9 8 5 6 4 7 6

Il-bajtar tax-xewk ma jagħmilx ħawħ. Prickly pear trees don’t make peaches. Il-liġi mhux għas-sinjur. The law does not apply to the rich man.

Kliem ġdid

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9

2 5 7 8 9 6 4 3 1

The winners of the June Senior Times competition are Anna Demajo (who wins a set of 12 replica prints by Richard Ellis), Josephine Agius (who wins a copy of Wild Plants of Malta by Hans Christian Weber) and Mel Saliba, (who wins a copy of L-Għama ta’ Lourdes by Emilio Lombardi).

3 2

Kull lingwa tirrifletti l-użanzi, xewqat, u taqlib li kull poplu jgħaddi minnhom. Skond ilpaġna tal-Facebook ‘Kelma’, li jieħu ħsieb Michael Spagnol, għalliem fl-Università ta’ Malta, dawn il-kliem, u ħafna oħrajn, qed isiru ferm popolari. • Stramħabbat Meta jkollok ħafna x’tagħmel.

3 2

• Blakafefobija Il-biża li jispiċċalek il-kafe u tgħaddi ġurnata mingħajr is-sapport tal-kaffeina. • Klixka Titlu klixe ta’ artiklu li huwa mmirat biex jiġbidlek l-attenzjoni.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

NEWS Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan gather in a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the attempted coup at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, on July 16. PHOTO: MURAT CETINMUHURDAR/PRESIDENTIAL PALACE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

Jockeys compete in Chonburi’s annual buffalo race festival, in Chonburi province, Thailand, on July 16. PHOTO: REUTERS/ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA

Pictures of the world Fireworks explode in the sky above the Eiffel Tower, in a picture taken from the Montparnasse Tower Observation Deck, at the end of Bastille Day events in Paris, France, on July 14. PHOTO: REUTERS/PASCAL ROSSIGNOL

Participants burn flares as they demand to deprive several Ukrainian lawmakers, suspected of corruption by the General Prosecutor’s Office, of parliamentary immunity during a rally near the building of Parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, on July 11. PHOTO: REUTERS/VALENTYN OGIRENKO

This month’s news highlights captured in show-stopping photos.

The shoes of Brigitte Macron (R), wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, and US First Lady Melania Trump are seen as they attend a welcoming ceremony at the Invalides in Paris, France, on July 13. PHOTO: REUTERS/CHARLES PLATIAU

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

A man cries as he carries his daughter while walking from an Islamic State-controlled part of Mosul towards Iraqi special forces soldiers during a battle in Mosul, Iraq. Photo: ReuteRS/GoRAn toMASevIc

Queen elizabeth II and King Felipe vI of Spain share a toast during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, London for the King’s State visit to the uK, on July 12. Photo: ReuteRS/doMInIc LIPInSKI

French President emmanuel Macron greets former French president nicolas Sarkozy, who stands besides Francois hollande at the commemorative ceremony for last year’s July 14 Bastille day fatal truck attack on the Promenade des Anglais in nice, France, on July 14. Photo: ReuteRS/eRIc GAILLARd

candles are formed in the shape of a heart during a vigil for chinese nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo outside china’s consulate in Sydney, Australia, on July 14. Photo: ReuteRS/JASon Reed

Switzerland’s Roger Federer poses with the Wimbledon trophy as he celebrates winning the final against croatia’s Marin cilic on July 16. Photo: ReuteRS/dAnIeL LeAL-oLIvAS

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

CARS

PHOTOS: TONY VASSALLO

“I immediately went to work there straight after leaving school, doing whatever tasks were required. Work was hard and the hours were long – in a way they still are,” remarks Joseph, who despite having a number of workers, still puts in more than 60 hours over a five and a half day week. His keen interest in classic cars saw him harnessing this avenue as the main healthy counterbalance in the work-leisure relationship. “My first vehicle was a hardly used 1971 Peugeot 304. The maroon coloured car was the apple of my eye. I only drove

it at the weekend, and whenever I got caught in the rain, I would return to the garage and wash it immediately, even if it was past midnight.” The Peugeot remains in mint condition to this very day. Some years ago, Joseph and his wife Maria were holidaying in Nice, France. In a quiet street off their hotel, he observed an unusual old car, partly parked on the pavement, which he used to pass every day. There was a faded notice with a telephone number on the windscreen. On Saturday, the last day of the holiday, Joseph decided to take action and stopped a number of passersby to enquire about the owner of this car. Eventually, he was directed to a nearby building. Plucking up courage, he rang the bell and soon he was having a lengthy conversation with the owner, who informed him that this was a rare 1938 Rosengart LR4 that he wanted to sell. He offered to take him for a drive on Monday, but Joseph told him that he was departing on Sunday. Soon a deal was struck, and a few weeks later, this French rarity – in immaculate, original condition and also maroon coloured – arrived on the island. Lucien Rosengart was a French engineer who started producing small cars in 1928 on license based on the English Austin Seven. The initial LR2 model was significantly modified to the more robust LR4 version, which came off the production line in 1938. In the post war

period, the company faced stiff competition from other French car manufacturers who were producing more practical models, and eventually it had to close its doors in 1955.

orking in a quarry is no mean job. Consequently, when the dust has settled down at the end of a long, hard day, Joseph Vella and his son Roderick leave the family quarry in Naxxar and make their way towards a large, spacious garage beneath the father’s residence in Mellieha, to spent some quality time enjoying their collection of classic cars. The story starts nearly half a century ago, when Joseph’s father, Carmelo, together with two of his brothers, took over the large quarry.

Joseph Busuttil from the Old Motors Club meets collectors Joseph Vella and his son Roderick.

In father’s tyre tracks

J OS E

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

NEWS

Roderick followed in his father’s footsteps not only into the family business, but also in absorbing his classic car enthusiasm. “In 1992, when I was 15, my father bought me a 1968 Triumph Herald 13/60. Being mechanically inclined, I spent the next three years restoring the locally assembled vehicle – it was my baptism of fire,” says Roderick, who also sprayed the car from white to red. Soon after this project was completed, he got to know of an old Austin Utility van abandoned in a Mellieha field. The vehicle looked beyond repair, but buoyed by his technical knowledge as well as the fact that his future father in law was a good auto mechanic, he bought it. “There were times when I felt that in getting this 1941 van, I had bitten more than I could chew, as restoring the Utility was a struggle. Procuring engine parts, like the timing gears and the pistons, was a headache. The marathon rehabilitation took us seven years to complete, but looking at the restored green coloured vehicle, it was worth the while”, adds Roderick with a sense of pride. The Austin Ten Light Utility model is a classic

The marathon rehabilitation took us seven years to complete

example of the wartime modification of civilian vehicles for the military effort, and was based on the Austin Ten saloon. The next old car to catch Roderick’s eye was a grey 1958 Ford Popular 103F. Although not in a bad state, his obsession with overhauling vehicles led to another restoration project, including a rebore of the engine, and fitting of new upholstery. Once finished, he fulfilled a childhood dream by purchasing a 1951 Fordson truck. He has been working on it for the past five years, mainly on the engine which now features a replaced cylinder block. Roderick, who carries out most of the work by himself, also made the wooden ash sides of the rear part of the Fordson, which is now nearly completion. In the meantime, he has bought a 1962 cream coloured Austin A35, which is in a very good and roadworthy condition. Alas, the same cannot be set of another acquisition, a 1966 Triumph Spitfire Mark 11, which will require a future nut and bolt restoration. These old cars are complemented by another interest of Roderick: old motorbikes. Over the years, he has bought and restored four of them – a 1943 BSA M20, a 1951 BSA Bantam, a 1958 AJS, and a 1959 Triumph Tiger Cub. As father and son make their way around this colourful collection of classics, Joseph appears laid back and relaxed. However Roderick admits that old cars have become an obsession, meaning that he has to visit them every day, either to watch, wash, or else to carry out some work on them. Both opine that the sight of their vehicles is the perfect antidote to the sounds of the quarry.

Loss and the eLderLy As we go through life, we all at one time or other experience some sense of loss. This loss may manifest itself in the loss of a spouse, friend, parent or relative. The older we get, the more this sense of loss grows and increases in intensity since with every loss we seem to become more aware of our own existence and how life is passing us by. It fills us with nostalgia for what could have been or for times past and makes us at times fear what the future will hold. Loss affects different people in different ways, which in turn affects the ways in which we cope with it. It may be sudden giving us little time to adapt, catching us unawares, bringing with it sudden changes, which in turn require certain decisions to be taken. One of these decisions may in fact be the need of looking into what long-term care entails. The death of a spouse is one of the main reasons why the elderly or their relatives may consider looking into long-term care services. The loss of a lifelong partner may be accompanied by the lack of motivation to cook for oneself, socialise with others or care for one’s basic needs. The house may become too big to care for, and the children may be too busy to take care of the parent who is left behind. Living in a care home on the other hand may bring with it a sense of belonging, a safe place where people may meet and socialise. It brings with it a sense of community where one can find other people of the same age group, who may have, or are passing through the same experience of loss. Experiences bring people together and a solace in knowing that they are surrounded by people who can understand what they are going through and who can empathise with their state of being. This is where the staff within the care home too are very important and need to complement this feeling. Staff have to allow the person to bereave, while being there by listening and encouraging them in small steps to move on and integrate in this new environment. Since not everyone bereaves in the same way, staff need to be experienced and alert to certain signs in the behaviour of elderly residents which may be a reflection of bereavement and which may in turn lead to a depressive state; where residents may be observed to become more withdrawn, start to eat less or lack the motivation to self-care.

Loss does not always have to be extreme as in death. It is a known fact that any loss one experiences, big or small, can lead to a degree of bereavement. A person may experience loss of function due to a sudden stroke, loss of a limb or eyesight due to a history of diabetes, or loss of independence due to a debilitating condition which has got worse with age. All these losses have to be recognised by those caring for the elderly and they must have the skills to help them cope with this loss and reach a stage of acceptance to live with it. Staff need to recognise that any loss will lead one to go through bereavement and its different stages. They need to recognise that people will oscillate between emotions at different times and that no one will progress systematically through each stage. Staff therefore need to listen, to recognise where the person is at, empathise, and at times explain to the person that what they are passing through is comprehensible. Relatives sometimes too need educating, since they may not realise that their elderly relative is bereaving and instead may at times get angry because they feel that the elderly person is giving up or is not trying hard enough. On the other hand relatives may be coping with their own bereavement – the loss of a mum who cannot recognise them as she suffers from dementia, a dad who may have suddenly had a stroke and cannot communicate anymore. Therefore relatives too need support and staff have to include them in the residents’ plans and goals especially on the resident’s admission, to a care home and when drawing up the resident’s care plan. The commitment in the ethos which runs through Simblija Care Home is that of better quality of life, which includes the development of coping mechanisms to deal with any loss and the support given as one does this. It is an ethos which puts the resident at the centre of its care, giving them an individualised plan based on their needs, their coping skills and which is set out at their pace. At Simblija care home, staff understand that care is never a one-size-fits-all approach and with the emotions that are involved to deal with loss and bereavement, this is even more so. Therefore through a partnership with the resident and their family, Simblija can reach the best outcomes in order to give residents the quality of life they deserve while learning to live with a loss of any kind or dimension.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

SPORT

Goals galore When Ferencvaros visited Malta for the 1937 Christmas Tourney, they showed world class attacking prowess, says Carmel Baldacchino.

he news that the famous Hungarian club Ferencvaros would visit Malta for the 1937 Christmas Tourney aroused great interest among the Maltese sporting public. Ferencvaros enjoyed a splendid reputation in Europe and in October 1937, they were crowned champions of Central Europe after beating Lazio of Italy in the Mitropa Cup final. Ferencvaros were the team of the moment not only in Hungary but also in Europe. This tour therefore was given a big promotion and the MFA left no stone unturned to prepare the national team for the occasion. Ferencvaros had a formidable team and when one looks at the results obtained in Malta it would be right to conclude that they were the greatest ever club side to visit the island. The team was made up of international goalkeeper Hada. The fullbacks were Tatrai and the famous international Koranyi. The half-back line was made up of Magda, Polgar, and Lazar. The latter was very short but he made up for his lack of height with his skills and football sense. The forward line was Ferencvaros’ best department. It is enough to say that in the seven matches they played in Malta they scored 55 goals, an average of eight goals per game. The best part of these goals was scored by the devastating duo of Sarosi and Toldi. Dr George Sarosi enjoyed an awesome reputation in Europe not only as a goal-scoring centre-forward but as an elegant centre-half and inside-forward. Toldi was a much different player than Sarosi. He had a reputation in Europe as a rough and vicious player. Despite his fiery temperament and bad reputation however, Toldi was a prolific goal scorer in his own right. His terrific shooting with both legs was a terror of opposing defenders. The other players in Ferencvaros forward line were outside-right Tankos, inside-right Kiss and international outside-left Kemenyi. The Stadium was full on Christmas Day for Ferencvaros’ first game in Malta against Valletta City. The Hungarians did not disappoint the crowd, beating Valletta by the huge score of 12 goals to one. The next day Ferencvaros met St George’s. The Saints had learned a valuable lesson from the visitors’ match against Valletta. They did not try to beat the Hungarians but instead packed up their defence to stop Sarosi

and Company from scoring. Led by a brilliant Wenzu Gabaretta in goal, the Saints fought like tigers and even scored the first goal of the match when Borg beat Hada with a 30-yard drive. The visitors were not ruffled. They went forward, pressing the Saints further and further back into their area. Gabaretta here showed his mettle, blocking volley after volley. He flew from side to side of the goal bringing off save after save. On one occasion, he saved in succession shots from Sarosi, Toldi and again a header from Sarosi. The crowd went crazy at his spectacular saves and cheered every attempt to beat him. At the end, he was beaten three times, twice from the penalty spot by Sarosi and another time by Tarkos whose shot had been deflected by Sipocz. His greatest save however came when he flew across the goal to save one-handed a terrific shot that would have beaten any other goalkeeper. All Gabaretta’s agility and showmanship were demonstrated on that fateful day against the mighty Hungarians and according to many eyewitnesses this was the greatest goalkeeping display ever seen at the Stadium. Ferencvaros’ third test was against the Navy. A crowd of about 10,000 was present at the Stadium. The Navy played their

usual attacking game but they left their defence wide open for the visitors to exploit. Ferencvaros scored nine goals to the sailors’ two. Toldi helped himself to six goals, while Sarosi scored two and Tarkos one. Johnson and Pawlu Friggieri scored for the Navy. The best match of the Tourney was that against Floriana which, though marred at times by rough play, was a real thriller. Despite the unusual high prices, the Tourney was a great financial success but the game against Floriana was given a bigger build up in the press than the rest. Everyone, including the Magyars expected an epic encounter. The game certainly lived up to expectations but unfortunately for a very unusual reason. On the eve of the game, Ferencvaros’ manager, Dr Springer received a letter bearing the signature of Mr Fred Mamo, the manager of Floriana. This letter, written in foul and abusive language was full of threats and insults. It was an obvious forgery but unfortunately, the Hungarians believed every word that was written. Dr Sprinker did not report the incident to the MFA but in the evening before the game, he refused an invitation from the MFA to a sightseeing trip

Postcard issued by Ritz Studio on the occasion of the visit to Malta of the famous Hungarian club TK Ferencvaros of Budapest.

Save of the century. Wenzu Gabaretta flies across the goal to save one-handed a terrific shot.

around the island. Dr Springer told the surprised MFA officials that his players were not leaving their hotel before the match against Floriana. On Sunday, January 2, 1938, a crowd of over 11,000 filled the Stadium. Before the start of the game, Floriana lined up in front of the enclosure but the Hungarians refused to pose for the traditional photo. This hostile attitude of the Hungarians continued in the toss-up ceremony when their captain refused to shake

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

In the seven matches they played in Malta they scored 55 goals hands with George Bond of Floriana. The Maltese were bemused by this unusual behaviour of the Magyars. They were angry, and they showed their anger by giving the stick to the visitors for the least provocation. George Bond won the toss and Dr Sarosi kicked off for Ferencvaros. For this game, the Hungarians adopted the third back game to stop Kaneni Cauchi and Bond from playing their usual attacking game. This plan worked to certain extends but the Hungarians did not completely neutralise the menace of the two Floriana strikers. At first, the game was restricted to midfield but gradually the Magyars started to gain the initiative. Midway through the first half, Magda scored from a suspected offside position and a few minutes later Tankos finished off a good movement to make the score 2-0. Then came the infamous penalty incident. Bond winning a ball on the right dashed into the penalty area. He had the goal at his mercy, but before he could shoot home he was unceremoniously floored from behind in the penalty area. The referee did not hesitate to point for the spot. The Hungarians however, did not agree with his decision. They crowded the official and at one time blows were aimed in his direction. The police had to intervene to rescue the official.

When order was restored the referee tried to book Polgar but the international centre-half refused to give his name to the official. This was too much for the referee to swallow. He refused to continue the game and he was only persuaded to carry on by Dr Springer who entered the pitch to admonish the guilty player. At the end, all this fuss proved to be in vain because Hada saved Dunne’s penalty kick.

Right before the half time whistle Bond reduced the score for Floriana. At the interval, Floriana had to substitute the injured Svoboda with Emmanuel Azzopardi of Valletta. Azzopardi was soon brought into action and in the first few minutes he had to make many difficult saves. Midway through the second period, Ferencvaros were given a penalty from which Sarosi made the score 3-1. A few minutes later, Cauchi headed in a perfectly taken corner-kick by Holland. The crowd was now on its feet as Floriana went in for the equaliser. The Hungarians however, closed their rear-guard and playing for possession they neutralised Floriana’s fury. Five minutes from the end, Toldi sent in a pile driver, which

smacked against the upright. The ball fell to Sarosi who finished off with his usual clinical precision. After the game the Hungarian officials were approached by the MFA and asked to explain their hostile behaviour prior and during the game with Floriana. Dr Springer showed the MFA officials the infamous letter, which had caused all the trouble, and when it was explained to him that the letter was a hoax, he gracefully offered his apologies. Over 8,000 spectators assisted for the fifth match of the Tourney when Sliema Wanderers lost to Ferencvaros by four goals to two. Because of their reputation the Wanderers were expected to offer Ferencvaros a stiff challenge but they failed to show the spirit which had led them to such fine results against foreign teams in the past. Still, despite their rather shabby performance, they held Ferencvaros 2-2 up to the last 20 minutes of the game. The Wanderers seemed to be heading for another prestigious result but at this point Ferencvaros started to play the type of football they were famous for and even the Blues’ gallant defence could not prevent them from scoring twice. once against showed his greatness. He scored a brilliant hat-trick while Kiss scored the other goal. Sliema’s scorers were Pinter from the penalty spot and Tony Nicholl. No one expected the Army to trouble Ferencvaros when the teams met in the sixth match of the Tourney. The Hungarians, however, were given the fright of their lives when, with only, with only 20 minutes to go, the score stood level at 3-3. Moreover, the Soldiers had missed a penalty and had what looked like a perfectly good goal disallowed for an infringement. In the last phase of the game the Army tired out and Toldi put his side in front. Then came an avalanche of goals. Sarosi scored 3, Toldi scored 2 and Jaszberenyi made the final score 11-3 for Ferencvaros. The last game of Ferencvaros visit was that against the MFA XI. This game

The Council of the Malta Football Association with the management and players of Ferencvaros. Back: Tankos, Tatrai, Lazar, Hada, Polgar, Hamori, Kiss. Middle: Koranyi, Kemenyi, Jaszberenyi, Magda, Scerri, Sarosi, Cauchi, Sarosi III, Toldi, Borg Costanzi. Front: Gollcher, DeCesare, Borg Cardona, Springer, Gatt Rutter, Rauchmaul, Cachia, Camilleri Sammut.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

NEWS

SPORT

Only when we first help ourselves can we effectively help others

The MFA League XI as they lined-up against the Navy on December 8, 1937. The MFA XI won 5-1. Johnnie Edwards, Stan Vickers, Wenzu Gabaretta, George Bone, Victor Miller, Tony Nicholl, Frans Freiberger, Leo Dunne, Leli Cauchi, Salvu Sammut, Ċensu Friggieri.

has already been covered in Part Two of this volume. It is enough to say at this point that the Maltese National team was routed by the huge score of 12 goals to three, a margin which left no room for excuses. This match ended to the Ferencvaros tourney. The Hungarians left the island leaving behind them memories of a great team and fine football. When early in the season, it was announced that Ferencvaros were visiting Malta, the MFA took immediate steps to prepare the National team for the tourney. A squad of 17 players were chosen for special training and a trial match was arranged against the Navy on Wednesday December 8. The Navy had a very strong team as they showed in the Cassar Cup competition. A week before the game with the MFA XI they had beaten the Army by the huge score of eight goals to one. Still, the Maltese were not awed by the sailors’ reputation and the National team playing its first match since 1935 beat them by five goals to one. Salvu Sammut was on top of his form in this match scoring a brilliant hat-trick. The Maltese were elated by their team’s performance and their morale was lifted for the match against Ferencvaros. All their expectations however, came to nought against the slick Hungarians. On Sunday January 9, Ferencvaros routed the MFA XI by the huge margin of 12 goals to three, a margin which left no room for complaint or grounds for excuses. Ferencvaros out-manoeuvred and outplayed the local team. The MFA XI strengthened by five foreign players were no match for the Hungarians who wove their way through the Maltese defence at will. It was a great disappointment for the Maltese supporters who had expected so much of their team. The MFA XI had Stan Vickers and Leo Dunne of Floriana missing through injury and Ċensu Friggieri was serving one-game suspension because of an incident which occurred in the game between Floriana and Ferencvaros. It was a tough blow for the Maltese selectors but it was no excuse for the humiliating display of the Maltese team.

There was enough talent in the team to make the Hungarians fight hard for their victory. The 12-3 result gives a clear view of how the game was played. By half-time the score was already six-nil for Ferencvaros. Then, at the start of the second half the Maltese gave the impression that they were going to start playing football. The Sliema Wanderers duo Frans Freiberger and Tony Nicholl scored a goal each to make the result a little bit more respectable. But, this was only a signal for the Hungarians to go up to top gear. The Magyars scored another half dozen for the measure! Dr Sarosi, the lawyer from Budapest scored eight of his side’s 12 goals creating a local record which still stands to this day. Sarosi was a great player the likes of which has rarely been seen on our island. Sarosi was a versatile footballer and he played in several positions for Ferencvaros and Hungary. Essentially he was what we nowadays call a second striker. However, he could also operate in midfield or central defence. Between 1932 and 1941 Sarosi helped Ferencvaros win five league titles. He scored a goal in the 1934 World Cup but his finest hour came when he captained Hungary to the 1938 World Cup finals. He scored five goals in the tournament including one in the final to reduce Italy’s lead to 3-2 although a Silvio Piola goal eventually finished off the Hungarians. He finished with the bronze ball for being the third top scorer of the tournament. In all Sarosi played 62 times and scored 42 goals for Hungary. After his retirement, he moved to Italy where he managed Juventus, Bari and Roma. He died in 1993 aged 80. In the match against the League XI apart from Sarosi’s 8 goals the others were scored by Toldi, Tarkos, and two by Kemenyi. The third goal for the MFA was scored by Freiberger. This match ended one of the greatest football events ever held in Malta. The Hungarians left a very good impression on the Maltese and for many years Sarosi and Company were used as a yardstick with which to gauge the skills of other foreign visitors.

Caring for yourself is one of the most important – and one of the most often forgotten – things you can do as a family caregiver. When your needs are taken care of, then the person you care for will benefit too. Researchers have conducted various studies about the effects of care giving on health and wellbeing. They predict that a combination of loss, prolonged stress, the physical demands of care giving, and the biological vulnerabilities that come with age place you at risk of significant health problems as well as an earlier death. Older caregivers are not the only ones who put their health and well-being at risk. If you are a baby boomer who has assumed a caregiver role for your parents while simultaneously juggling work and raising adolescent children, you face an increased risk of depression, chronic illness and a possible decline in quality of life. Despite these risks, family caregivers of any age are less likely than non-caregivers to practise preventive healthcare and self-care behaviour. You cannot stop the impact of a chronic or progressive illness or a debilitating injury on someone for whom you care. But there is a great deal that you can do to take responsibility for your personal well-being and to get your own needs met. First, you must ask yourself: “What good will I be to the person I care for if I become ill or if I die?” You must also recognise warning signs early. These might include irritability, sleep problems, and forgetfulness. Know your own warning signs, and act to make changes – don’t wait until you are overwhelmed. Identify sources of stress – these can include having too much to do, family disagreements, feelings of

inadequacy, or the inability to say no. Then take action. Taking some action to reduce stress gives us back a sense of control. Stress reducers can be simple activities like walking and other forms of exercise, gardening, meditation or having coffee with a friend. Take a break from care giving. Get help with care giving tasks like bathing and preparing meals. Engage in activities that will make you feel healthier. Seniors Helping Seniors offer a variety of in-home services designed to help seniors remain independent while living in their own home or other living arrangement. Seniors Helping Seniors match active seniors who can provide a service in the community to other seniors who would benefit from receiving those services. Seniors Helping Seniors also do their best to match personalities and activity levels and to encourage a strong friendship that is developed as seniors complete various activities throughout the day together. It’s like getting a little help from your friends. Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed and exhausted or your health fails. Reaching out for help when you need it is a sign of personal strength. Discuss your health with a doctor. While caregivers will discuss their loved one’s care with the physician, caregivers seldom talk about their own health, which is equally important. Remember that it’s not selfish to focus on your own needs and desires when you are a caregiver – it’s an important part of the job. Seek supportive counselling when you need it or talk to a trusted, friend, or priest. For more information contact Simon Fiorini Lowell at care@fiorinilowell.com or call 2738 3161.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

RELIĠJON/NEWS

Il-labtijiet tal-Karmnu Il-labtu huwa sinjal tal-preżenza ta’ Marija, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

x-xahar ta’ Lulju huwa magħruf bħala x-xahar tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu għax f ’nofsu tiġi ċċelebrata l-festa tal-Madonna taħt dan it-titlu, u anke matul ilĦdud kollha ta’ dan ix-xahar jiġu ċċelebrati festi tal-istess titlu f ’diversi parroċċi. Fix-xbihat, lill-Madonna narawha qed tnewwel biċċa drapp – il-labtu – lil min ikun quddiema. Persważ li ħafna fostna, speċjalment min trabba f ’din id-devozzjoni, ġieli libes fuqu labtu minn dawn li qed insemmu; ġeneralment fuqu jkollu xbiha tal-kwadru talMadonna li jinsab fil-bażilika tal-Karmnu fil-Belt. Imma x’għandha speċjali din il-biċċa drapp? Tradizzjoni ħajja Karmelitana tgħidilna li fis-16 ta’ Lulju 1251, il-Madonna dehret lillġeneral tal-Ordni Karmelitan, San Xmun, u qaltlu li min imut liebes dak il-labtu ma jbatix innar tal-infern. Kien ħabba f ’hekk li ħafna nies kienu jfittxu li jilbsuh, u kien ħabba f ’hekk ukoll li fuq il-labtijiet kienu jinkitbu tliet frażijiet bil-Latin: in vita protego, in morte iuvo, post mortem salvo. Dawn ifissru fil-ħajja nħarsek, fil-mewt ngħinek, wara l-mewt insalvak. In vita protego. L-interċessjoni ta’ Marija fil-ħajja tad-dixxipli ta’ binha hija element li qatt ma

Kemm kienu jrossu magħhom il-labtu fit-twegħir waqt talbhom u kemm aktar biesuh b’ringrazzjament meta l-periklu għadda naqas fit-twemmin tal-insara. Biżżejjed niftakru xi episodji mill-istorja ta’ ġensna fejn wara t-talb tal-Maltin lill-Madonna, hi wriet l-indħil tagħha fl-istorja meta ħelsitna mill-perikli fi ġranet ta’ festa ddedikati lilha. Min jaf kemm minn dawn ilMaltin matul is-sekli kienu jġorru fuqhom il-labtu waqt li jitolbu lill-Madonna teħlishom minn dawn il-perikli tar-ruħ u tal-ġisem, u kemm kienu jrossu magħhom il-labtu fit-twegħir waqt talbhom u kemm aktar biesuh b’ringrazzjament meta l-periklu għadda. In morte iuvo. San Claude de la Colombiere f ’waħda millkitbiet tiegħu jgħid: “Insostni li m’hemmx devozzjoni marjana aqwa minn dik tal-labtu li tagħmel is-salvazzjoni tagħna hekk ċerta, u li magħha għandna nintrabtu b’aktar kunfidenza u żelu.”

Marija wegħdet lil Xmun li min imut bil-labtu ma jġarrabx in-nar ta’ dejjem, u hu minħabba f ’hekk li l-labtu huwa spiss imsejjaħ signum salutis, sinjal tas-salvazzjoni. Dan ma jfissirx li l-labtu huwa xi taliżman li jwarrab it-tentazzjoni tad-dnub, jew li minnu nnifsu jibdel lill-bniedem f ’xi forma ta’ alla li d-dnub ma jistax għalih. Lanqas ma huwa garanzija li tista’ tilbsu u tgħix kif trid u mbagħad se ssalva. Illabtu huwa sinjal tal-preżenza ta’ Marija. Min jilbes il-labtu, għalhekk, qiegħed ifakkar lilu nnifsu u lil ta’ madwaru bil-preżenza ta’ Omm Alla. Jekk in-nisrani jieħu bis-serjetà din il-preżenza, allura jfisser li se joqgħod aktar attent għall-imġieba tiegħu, se jersaq aktar lejn is-sagramenti, b’mod speċjali l-qrar u ttqarbin, se jgħasses aktar

ilsienu biex bi kliemu la joffendi lil Alla, la lill-Madonna jew lil xi ħadd mill-qaddisin u lanqas ma’ jweġġa’ lil min fost il-proxxmu ma jaqbilx miegħu. Hekk iva, il-labtu huwa garanzija ta’ salvazzjoni. Ilpreżenza tal-labtu fuq ġisem ilmoribondi huwa sinjal talpreżenza ta’ Marija biex, wara li jkunu għexu ħajja xierqa, hi tieqaf magħhom u twassalhom għand binha wara l-aħħar nifs. Post mortem salvo. Għedna li parti mill-messaġġ li Marija qalet lil Xmun kien li min imut bil-labtu ma jbatix in-nar ta’ dejjem. Madwar 65 sena wara ddehra lil San Xmun, il-Madonna deheret lill-kardinal li kellu jsir il-papa Ġwanni XXII u qaltlu li d-devoti kollha tal-labtu li jmutu fil-grazzja ta’ Alla, jekk ikunu għexu ħajja tajba, hi tidħol għalihom biex jeħilsu mill-pwieni tal-purgatorju fi żmien qasir.

Għal darb’oħra l-Madonna tafferma l-qawwa tal-inter ċessjoni qawwija tagħha – anke wara l-mewt – favur uliedha li jħobbuha, u għal darb’oħra tfakkarna fl-impenn tagħna li ngħixu skont ma jixtieq binha. Fi ftit kliem nistgħu ngħidu, għalhekk, li meta nilbsu l-labtu fuq sidirna għandna dejjem niftakru li fuqna qed inġorru l-preżenza tal-Madonna u dan minnu nnifsu għandu jwasslna biex fi kliemna u fl-imġieba tagħna nkunu aktar responsabbli u aktar ta’ eżempju. Jalla kull meta naraw xi labtu jew xi domna u nitħajru nilbsuhom niftakru f ’dan: li s-sejħa tagħna bħala nsara biex ngħixu ħajja tajba mhix ħaġa li nibbenefikaw minnha biss tul ħajjitna imma anke filmument diffiċli ta’ meta rridu nħallu din il-ħajja!

Quality of life: a central element in care philosophy As people live longer they tend to becomer frailer particularly when afflicted by diseases and conditions related to old age, such as dementia. Sometimes such situations make people ask questions such as: “Are we adding years to life at the expense of life to years?” Indeed living into a venerable age without an accompanying quality of life denies the individual of the dignity that they deserve both as a human being as well as a person who has contributed for so many years.

In its 24 years of existence CareMalta has always made quality of life a central element of its mission to provide quality healthcare to its residents. This is done by ensuring, for example that distressing physical symptoms such as pain are properly and promptly addressed. This is also extended to the emotional well-being which is taken care for by creating a happy environment within its homes. The company also provides the opportunity for particiption in and enjoyment of social activities both

within and outside the facility. Another element closely knit to the concept of quality of care are the relations with family members of the residents. CareMalta encourages family members to stay involved in the life of their loved ones even when they are admitted to a care home. Another important aspect CareMalta places a lot of attention on is the way residents are encouraged to go out of their rooms as much as possible, stay dressed in their clothes rather than pyjamas or nightdresses,

and socialise with other residents in the dining room, common areas or activity rooms. Spirituality is also given a lot of importance because for many older persons it plays an important part in the way they deal with their particular situation. CareMalta remains committed to ensuring that all its residents have the opportunity to live a quality life throughout their stay at one of its facilities irrispective of their age as well as their mental or physical state.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

NEWS

Heritage Malta membership offers concession rates for seniors

he new Heritage Malta membership scheme offers new initiatives for a variety of categories aiming to increase accessibility to all museums and sites. The current membership scheme entitles the card holder to free unrestricted entry to all Heritage Malta museums and sites except for the Hypogeum for which members are offered a 50 per cent discount. Other benefits include discounts from the museum shops, discounts on activities organised by the national agency, and participation in free exclusive events organised specifically for members. The new scheme offers four membership categories with one, three or five years options. As part of its social responsibility and to ensure that its museums and sites be accessible to all, Heritage Malta offer concession rates on price tickets for seniors (60+), disabled persons and students. The prices for concession are €35 for one year, €85 for three years, and €140 for five years. Membership is also valid for joint concession and the prices in this category are €60 for one year, €150 for three years and €245 for five years. A three-year membership entitles also the card holder up to 15 free tickets to share with family and friends, and a five year membership entitles the card holder to 30 free tickets to share with family and friends. For more information about Heritage Malta’s membership scheme visit www.heritagemalta.org or the Heritage Malta Facebook page.

‘The church must send or the church will end’

egħdin fis-sajf; viva l-festi u xi għawma fil-baħar sabiħ tagħna. F’dan ix xahar ukoll jibdew imorru xi gruppi ta’ voluntiera, b’mod speċjali żgħażagħ, għal esperjenza missjunarja u biex jagħmlu xi xogħol ta’ volontarjat. Ċerti li jekk jieħdu din l-esperjenza bis serjetà ser tagħmlilhom ħafna ġid u jibqgħu jiftakruha. Ser jagħtu ftit, imma jieħdu ħafna. Missio wkoll beda t-tħejjijiet biex f’Settembru li ġej grupp ta’ voluntiera jmorru fir-reġjun ta’ Chipata, fiż-Żambja, biex jaħdmu fuq proġett marbut mal edukazzjoni. Din ser tkun esperjenza oħra tixbah lil dik li saret is sena l-oħra fl-Etjopja per-

mezz tal-inizjattiva mnedija minn Missio mlaqqma ‘Il proġett’. Il-ħsieb hu li din lesperjenza terġa’ tiġi trasmessa fuq itteleviżjoni permezz ta’ serje ta’ programmi msejħa wkoll ‘Il proġett’. F’Lulju wkoll, flimkien ma’ żewġ membri mill istaff ta’ Missio ser inkunu għal xi jiem fuq żjara missjunarja fiżŻambja u fiż-Żimbabwe. Hawnhekk irridu nagħmlu vjaġġi ta’ eluf ta’ kilometri biex inżuru numru sew ta’ proġetti sponsorjati permezz tal-fond universali tal-Opri Missjunarji Pontifiċji u anki permezz ta’ proġetti sponsorjati direttament minn benefatturi Maltin. Fost dawn hemm il bini ta’ sitt kappelli

żgħar (mission stations) fi rħula tal kampanja, tmien soqfa ta’ kappelli oħra, diversi spieri u għajnuna lil djar tat-tfal. Inżuru wkoll xi sorijiet Maltin li qed jirċievu xi fondi minn Missio. Meta nitkellmu fuq il-missjoni dejjem nisimgħu verità fundamentali: Il-Knisja hija min natura tagħha missjunarja. Hekk bdiet u hekk trid tkompli, inkella ma tibqax il-Knisja li waqqaf Kristu. Sabiħ u profond is slowgan li nużaw f’Missio li ser niktbu bl-Ingliż għax iwassal messaġġ ċar: ‘The Church must send or the Church will end’ (Il-Knisja trid tibgħat jew il-Knisja tintemm). Hawn niftakar fil-wegħda kuraġġuża tal-Arċisqof

tagħna, li ma jżomm lil ħadd li jkun irid imur jaħdem fil missjoni. U xi wħud diġà għamlu hekk fi żmien l-episkopat tiegħu. U dan ifakkarni wkoll f ’messaġġ ieħor li tagħtina l-missjoloġija: “Alla kellu Iben wieħed. U dan kien missjunarju”. Jekk int tixtieq tkun ta’ support għal dawn il-proġetti ta’ Missio u proġetti oħra għal dawn in-nies int tista’ tibgħat id-donazzjoni tiegħek lil Missio, 7, Triq il-Merkanti, Valletta. Tista’ tagħmel kuntatt magħna permezz tat-telefon fuq 2123 6962 jew permezz tal-e-mail fuq info@missio.org.mt. Żomm aġġornat magħna billi tidħol fil-websajt www.missio.org.mt.

SENIOR TIMES â&#x20AC;&#x2019; july 2017

SENIOR TIMES ‒ july 2017

DENTAL CARE

Addressing complex case scenarios I

n today’s dentistry, aesthetics are as important as functionality. Many patients visit the dentist and tell them how happy they are that their bridge or implant they had done many years ago is still doing fine. What they are unhappy about are the poor aesthetics they carry. Most of this old dental work is heavily constructed using old techniques with possible visible metal. The frontal view often shows receeded darkened gums by the thin metal-ceramic edge of the border of the crown. Spaces appear in between the teeth or implants, again due to gum recession causing dark shadows and food packing. Food packing leads to plaque build-up and inflammation. Yes this may be kept clean but the aesthetics still leave much to be desired. The fact remains that in most cases a bridge or implant looks very good when inserted but 10, 15 or 20 years later it looks very poor and not in-keeping with the rest of the dentition.

A CASE SCENARIO Middle-aged man is unhappy with an implant done 12 years ago. The implant has healed very well. Fully satisfied with performance of implant but deeply unsatisfied with current aesthetics of tooth and gum.

OPTIONS FOR TREATMENT ▪ Removal of the implant and adjacent tooth with poor prognosis followed by two new implants replacing the two missing teeth and two new crowns ▪ Modification of metal collar and provision of new implant crown ▪ Removal of implant and construction of new all-ceramic bridge in zirconia or lithium di-silicate replacing both teeth ▪ Gingival plastic surgery to cover the metal collar This is a tricky case scenario on a patient with high expectations. Each option carries advantages and disadvantages. Understanding that each option may bear a good but possibly a compromised result, the patient has

opted for the first option. Here is the sequence of events: ▪ Explantation (removal of implant) and extraction of adjacent central incisor. ▪ Simultaneous bone and gingival grafting plus provision of removable prosthesis. ▪ Placement of two new implants three months post-removal of implant and tooth with further bone augmentation ▪ Fitting of new all ceramic intermediate implant-crown connections followed by a metal free all-ceramic superstructure four months postimplantation

Extra-op pre-treatment Intra-op pre-treatment

Intra-op showing two implants and two ceramic connections

The above shows that there are many solutions to an aesthetic problem. What’s important is knowing what options are out there, explaining them to the patient and selecting the best option to address the patients wishes. Timeframes and costings must also be weighed out. Ask your dentist!

DR JEAN PAUL DEMAJO IS A DENTAL AND IMPLANT SURGEON. HE HAS TRAINED IN LONDON AND WORKS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN MALTA. Extra-op post-treatment