Families need support to care for elderly and frail, says Nancy

 The federal minister says the welfare department has spent about RM728 million this year to support the welfare of senior citizens, the disabled and those with chronic illnesses.

Nancy Shukri, the minister of women, family and community development, said more than 42,000 people had received support for the care of the bedridden. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The burden of caring for the elderly, and those who are frail or bedridden should not rest solely on families without strong support from various quarters, federal minister Nancy Shukri said today.

That was why caregivers are provided with training, psychosocial support and motivation so that they can provide the best care without neglecting their own health, said Nancy, who is the minister of women, family and community development, at a caregiver support programme in Kuching today.

She said the welfare department had spent about RM728 million this year to support the welfare of senior citizens, the disabled and those with chronic illnesses.

“To ease the burden on families, the department also assists with the care of the bedridden,” Bernama quoted her as saying. A total of 42,036 people had received such assistance, involving an expenditure of more than RM119 million, while more than 170,100 people received aid from the senior citizens programme, involving an expenditure of more than RM609 million.

She said strengthening the care system is important, particularly to ensure the welfare of caregivers looking after these groups is also safeguarded. - FMT