Page 50 - IJPS-8-1

International Journal of
Population Studies Gerontology education in Malta

are of 90 ECTS and were designed to be as flexible and for Active Ageing to issue six scholarships for personnel in
modular as possible, so that students can cease their the public service to read for a Masters of Arts in Ageing
studies at the end of any semester and then rejoin in the and Dementia Studies. At the same time, the department
future years. The academic content of the degree programs was intrinsically involved in the planning and writing of
was planned and formulated to follow a “progressive key policies and program initiatives documents on active
academic learning concept” (Russell, 1990), with their ageing, dementia care, and care homes for older persons.
special focus starting with basic gerontological knowledge, On one hand, the National Strategic Policy for Active Ageing
such as theories, concepts and research, and introducing (Parliamentary Secretariat for Rights of Persons with
academic and social debates on relevant gerontological Disability and Active Ageing, 2013), National Dementia
issues, and then going on to the accumulation of academic Strategy (ibid., 2015a), and the National Minimum
knowledge, competencies, and skills. To authenticate Standards for Care Homes for Older Persons (ibid., 2015b)
the quality of its programs and to ensure that academic were all spearheaded by resident academics within the
standards are maintained, especially in consideration Department (Scerri, 2015; Formosa, 2018). The launch of
that the University of Malta is the only university in the these three policy directions was instrumental in leading a
country, the department engages the services of a number number of workers in the field of ageing, especially those
of international external examiners for a maximum period working in care homes and geriatric institutions, to enroll in
of 3 years. Moreover, the department collaborates closely a graduate program in either gerontology and geriatrics or
with a number of foreign universities, as well as the World dementia care. It is noteworthy that the strategic objectives
Health Organization and United Nations’ organizations, for the section on workforce development included the
in particular with the International Institute on Ageing, following items related to gerontology education:
United Nations - Malta. While some degree programs a. In collaboration with the University of Malta and
are available full-time, such as the Higher Diploma and the Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology
Master of Gerontology and Geriatrics, the Masters of Arts (MCAST) develops study units on the medical, social,
in Ageing and Dementia Studies and the Doctorate are psychological, and economic aspects of dementia for
available on a part-time basis. Hence, the department has students undergoing health and social care training
the potential to meet the academic needs and interests of programs. An interdisciplinary team approach will be
both regular students interested in graduating in ageing fostered and emphasized using appropriate teaching
studies as well as working professionals. The presence of methodologies.
the multi-national student body also serves to provide b. Provide patient-centered dementia care training to all
added value and attraction to the degree programs. As health-care professionals caring for individuals with
reported in the United States context, it is dementia. This will include continuous professional
…useful to engage international students in class development programs for skills updating.
discussions to learn about diverse aging process in c. Provide a training program for caregivers. This may
other cultural settings. This exchange also occurs form part of a yearly program organized by professionals
at the student level where international students in the dementia field. Various aspects of dementia
share aging experiences in their cultures with [local]
students, thus building a comparative perspective and care including patient-caregiver relationship, stress
a more globalized knowledge base for the field. management, and communication will be included in
the study.
Mwangi, Yamashita, Ewen, et al., 2012, p. 213 d. Support accredited information technology platforms
The appeal of the Department of Gerontology and that facilitate online dementia training for health-care
Dementia Studies is also partly the result of effective professionals and caregivers.
lobbying and marketing tactics on behalf of its resident e. Provide training opportunities in the optimal delivery
academics. Stratagems included a televised 14-session of palliative care to health and social care professionals
series on the impact of ageing and dementia on individuals working with individuals with dementia.
and caregivers, the publication of information booklets f. Ensure that curricula at all levels of training are
on dementia and how to care for a relative with dementia, coherent to develop a well-trained multidisciplinary
producing a street-theatre production on dementia workforce.
across a number of villages and towns across Malta, and g. Ensure that all dementia training programs delivered
coordinating extensive training in dementia management outside the University of Malta and the Malta College
and care for all nurses working with people with dementia of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST) (and
in public care homes and geriatric institutions. Such efforts other recognized institutions) are fully accredited and
culminated in successfully lobbying the Junior Ministry classified within the Malta Qualification Framework.

Volume 8 Issue 1 (2022) 44 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.v8i1.1311