The Japanese approach to senior care focuses on self-sufficiency and dignified support for the elderly. Photo: 123rf.com
Reminiscing about the “good old days”, Abigail Lim’s grandpa used to say how, when he was a boy, he had to share a small room with his nine siblings – something that may seem unbearable to youngsters now.
“Back in those days, Gong Gong said that he had to squeeze in one small room with his nine siblings to sleep. Can you imagine all 10 of them in one room?” she said. “But he was very grateful to have his siblings because they always had each other to share life’s many burdens.
“When Gong Gong’s mother was very sick, he was so blessed that they shared the caregiving responsibility together,” she said.
Lim, who is with the Malaysian Association for Social Care Professionals & Homes (Masoc Care), knows that her situation would be vastly different as she and her sister would only have each other to lean on.
Her situation is becoming the norm in Malaysia – families have shrunk over time, making Malaysia one of the world’s fastest ageing nations. With the shrinking family, the burden each family member must carry in relation to caregiving becomes relatively heavier too.
Therefore, it is crucial to establish a proper senior care ecosystem – one that provides citizens access to quality caregiving, one that can train caregivers effectively, and one that promotes initiative for elderly well-being.
How can organisations help with elder care challenges and raise awareness?
Immediate action is necessary to build a strong and comprehensive elder care system that can meet the challenges posed by this “shrinking family” phenomenon.
Organisations today can act as advocates in improving support systems, educating the public about concerns like elder abuse, and promoting seniors’ overall well-being.
As Malaysia tackles the challenges posed by its rapidly ageing population, the elder care industry holds immense growth potential.
Not only does it address the needs of the elderly, but it also creates job opportunities and contributes to the economy.
The role of professional caregivers cannot be ignored, says Dr Melody Ang, secretary general of Masoc Care, an NGO that engages youth to be involved in senior care.
“We cannot solely rely on long-term maids for elderly caregiving duties, as they may lack the necessary skills and knowledge to provide proper care,” says Ang.
Family sizes have shrunk over time, making Malaysia one of the world’s fastest ageing nations and families need to know how best to support their ageing loved ones.
Through collaborations with government agencies and community groups, organisations today can play their part by introducing innovative solutions like caregiver training and technology-driven healthcare.
By sharing knowledge and forming partnerships, organisations contribute to the growth of the eldercare sector and enhance the quality of care.
Together with stakeholders, they drive positive change, fostering a compassionate and inclusive society for Malaysia’s elderly population.
Innovative solutions like technology-enabled care models and collaborative approaches play a crucial role. By fostering cooperation among healthcare providers, caregivers and family members, there can be comprehensive support, better communication, and enhanced overall care for the elderly population.
Malaysia can learn from Japan’s effective elder care model, as Japan has the highest ageing population and longest life expectancy globally, yet elderly Japanese individuals aged 65 and above have shown positive improvements in overall health.
Japan’s Kaigo approach focuses on self-sufficiency and dignified support for the elderly. By adopting similar strategies, Malaysia can better support its ageing population, improve overall health, and attract retirees and expatriates from Japan and other ageing societies.
This positions Malaysia as an appealing destination for a high-quality and dignified retirement lifestyle, benefiting both local seniors and international individuals seeking specialised care.
Organisations play a crucial role in creating awareness and promoting growth in senior care in Malaysia.
They can also opt for HRD Corporation certified in-house education and training certification, including professional caregiving programmes for employees transitioning into retirement or those who wish to become professional caregivers for their elderly relatives.
For example, Nirvana Asia and New Era University College have brought in Masoc Care as their training provider of a programme that focuses on the importance of maintaining the elderly’s independence, to protect their dignity as they age.
These initiatives aim to add value to their employees and their respective families as the nation steps into an ageing society.
This article was contributed by The Malaysian Association for Social Care Professionals and Homes (Masoc Care). For more info, contact 011-3301 9681 / info@masoc.care.
