Are we a nation that’s compassionate towards senior citizens?

 

TOMORROW (Aug 21) is the World Senior Citizen’s Day and the questions that still need to be asked are how much Malaysia has contributed for the welfare of senior citizens, and what are currently lacking that the government need to look into and improve to ensure that senior citizens live a dignified life.

Senior citizens have worked hard all their lives and the government should implement several policies and initiatives aimed at recognising and rewarding their contributions.

Here are some suggestions the government need to consider to be respected as a country of compassion that “walks the talk”.

While Malaysia has made significant strides in supporting senior citizens, there are still areas where improvements can be made to ensure that all seniors live dignified and fulfilling lives.

• To enhance pension coverage and adequacy as not all seniors have sufficient retirement savings. Many in the informal sector do not have adequate coverage under the EPF or other pension schemes. The recommendation is to expand pension schemes to cover informal workers and introducing more robust social pensions for those without sufficient EPF savings could help address this gap;
• There is a growing demand for long-term care services, but the availability of high-quality, affordable nursing homes and elder care services is limited. The government could invest in more state-supported long-term care facilities, train more healthcare workers specialised in geriatric care, and provide financial incentives or subsidies to families caring for elderly members at home.
• Many public spaces, transportation systems, and buildings are not fully accessible to senior citizens, particularly those with mobility challenges. The government must implement universal design principles in urban planning while ensuring that public transport and buildings are age-friendly, and increasing the number of elderly-friendly recreational areas that could improve the quality of life for seniors.

While healthcare is subsidised, there are challenges in accessibility, particularly in rural areas where healthcare facilities and specialists are limited.

It is high time the government expands mobile healthcare services, increase the number of geriatric specialists in rural areas, and improve telemedicine services can help bridge this gap.

Social isolation and mental health issues are also of significant concern among the elderly, particularly those who live alone or are marginalised.

(Image: Bernama)

Expanding community-based programmes that encourage social interaction, providing mental health services specifically for seniors, and promoting intergenerational activities can help combat loneliness and depression among the elderly.

In this digital age many seniors lack adequate financial literacy, which can lead to poor management of their retirement savings and increased vulnerability to financial scams.

Enhancing financial education programmes targeted at seniors, offering free financial counselling services and increasing awareness of financial scams can help protect their financial well-being.

Elder abuse, including financial exploitation, physical abuse, and neglect remains an underreported problem.

The government must strengthen legal frameworks to protect seniors, increase public awareness campaigns, and provide more support services for victims of elder abuse can ensure better protection for vulnerable seniors.

There is still a need to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by senior citizens and to promote positive attitudes towards ageing.

More nationwide campaigns to educate the public about ageing, encouraging respect and empathy for the elderly, and promoting active ageing can contribute to a more inclusive society.

While there are various initiatives, a more cohesive and comprehensive national policy for ageing is needed.

Developing and implementing a national ageing policy that integrates healthcare, housing, social protection, and legal frameworks would ensure a more coordinated approach to addressing the needs of senior citizens.

Addressing the above issues which are gaps will help Malaysia build a more inclusive and supportive environment for its ageing population, ensuring that all senior citizens can live with dignity, security, and a sense of fulfilment. 

K. Tamil Maran is a Focus Malaysia reader.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia