Family caregivers speak about abuse by carers (both hired and family members), balancing work, and providing care. Costs associated with domestic helpers and elderly homes can easily reach at least RM4,000 per month.
Galen CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib proposes an aged care fund starting at age 45, while UM geriatrician Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin suggests written advance care directives.
My late grandfather, who died in 2016, was diagnosed with stroke, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. His total medical costs over 4.5 years totalled RM900,000, including the cost of caring for him at home and RM12,000 monthly for care at a facility.
University of Malaya’s Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman advocates for proactive measures to tackle Malaysia’s ageing crisis, not strategies that simply react to the changing needs of the older demographic.
It is imperative that women lead healthy, meaningful and independent older years so that they can continue to actively contribute to socioeconomic development.
The National Society of St. Vincent de Paul Malaysia is seeing more and more homeless senior citizens. Dr Tan Maw Pin calls for a Minister for Older Persons, saying that placing social care under the Women’s Ministry is outdated and misogynistic.
Pasir Pinji rep Howard Lee from Perak, the country's oldest state, proposes a care economy to train carers, and to provide subsidised care and carer allowances, so that Malaysians aren’t forced to choose between work and caring for their elderly parents.
KJ asks how Umno proposes to narrow the large gaps in Malaysia's health and education systems, and how people’s retirement savings can be replenished after their EPF withdrawals.