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GEORGE TOWN: A group of consumers has asked the government to stop pushing for the construction of private care centers for the elderly, as they are expensive.
Instead, said the Penang Consumers Association (CAP), the government should help NGO-supported elderly care centers.
In a statement, CAP Chairman Mohideen Abdul Kader said the government appeared to be encouraging the construction of more retirement villages, but added that this would only benefit a small segment of society.
He said those private retirement villages were expensive and out of reach for those nearing retirement age who have little savings, especially in Employee Provident Fund accounts.
In addition to many considering themselves unemployed, Mohideen said they also had to deal with health problems and living expenses.
He said the government should encourage NGOs to work with the Department of Social Welfare, as they were already operating nurseries and nursing homes.
“As long as the elderly person is relatively healthy and physically independent, it is advisable that they remain integrated into the community.
“Older people should have facilities that suit their needs, such as unobstructed passages and ramps,” he said.
Mohideen said the government should formulate a universal design policy so that all development projects are “age-friendly.”
Giving the example of Singapore, it said its Housing and Development Board (HDB) had been proactive in ensuring that all developments are designed with children and the elderly in mind.
He said that fitness facilities for all ages are available in all HDB projects and that the lift buttons are designed for the visually impaired.
“Malaysia seems unprepared for an aging society. We will not be able to address the problems caused by the declining birth rate and increasing aging of the population if we do not start now.
“We only had 35 geriatricians in 2018 when about 650 were needed. Can the country produce enough geriatricians in another decade? ” he said.
According to the Department of Statistics, the number of people over 65 will exceed those under 15 in 2040.
The country has about 3,000 private nursing homes, with 17 centers under government, a private operator from a retirement village said in September.
