Senior citizens and way forward
KUALA LUMPUR: My friend, back from Sydney, was perplexed to note that there was no one definition for senior citizens in Malaysia.
At the Immigration Department processing his passport, he noticed that there were no special counters for senior citizens. Wondering why, he called me and asked if this would be a good topic for me to ponder. He was told that if you are a pensioner, then you are a senior citizen. The retirement age in both the public and private sectors is now 60 years old but there are some inadequacies which need to be addressed.
Officially people who are 60 and above are considered as older persons or senior citizens. But unlike other life groups, there is no ceiling age as they could end at any time between 60 and 117 (the oldest living person on record today is Emma Morano from Italy who celebrated her 117th birthday on Nov 29, 2016!).
Between 60 and the ‘end of the road’, these individuals will face many changes: physically, mentally, emotionally, environmentally and financially that will affect their quality of life.
“The severity or impact of these changes on them very much depends on their personality, health condition and the support they get from their family members and the community,” says Datuk Malim Baginda, President of USIAMAS, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for the aged.
The current support system for old folks is in a rather sad state. Financially, we are totally dependent on our EPF (Employee’s Provident Fund) savings, which at the point of retirement can only last for about three years, especially for the lower income group, where 75 per cent of EPF contributors belong to.
Although the EPF system was designed to help the working man in his golden years, it has never transformed itself to the ageing population’s needs or demands. It still remains as a retirement scheme sadly of which 75 per cent of Malaysians will go dry, immediately after their retirement.
There is a crying need for a new approach to provide a more sustainable scheme. Only till recently, the self-employed have been left to fend for themselves once they have reached the retirement age. Although the EPF has suggested a new ‘social pension scheme’ for those in the private sector, this scheme has yet to be launched.
The Socso (Social Security Organisation) currently focuses only on assisting those involved in accidents at the work place rather than viewing the ageing populace as a criticial beneficiary of the scheme itself.
Perhaps it is time for Socso to share similar views to that of the EPF and earnestly consider and take into account the needs of the individuals who have diligently contributed to such schemes during their working days and who now deserve the returns of their respective contributions once they have retired.
The social pension scheme is about a scheme which is similar to the one implemented in Brunei. Brunei started with a payment of BD45, today it has grown to BD300. This scheme is applied to all aged Bruneians. This can also be implemented in Malaysia. The government has already started with BRIM. The same scheme can be applied to the old folks whereby every senior citizen should automatically qualify for RM200 per month.
It might look like a big dent in the federal budget, but it is critical to take care of this growing old population, who are often financially in bad shape. Our domestic savings fund is also low. However, our domestic borrowings are very high, indicating a poor deficit in the way which we earn and spend.
The health sector is quite encouraging with the government’s comprehensive medical and health service. The waiting time at hospitals and clinics has been considerably reduced. Despite the new charges, the fees are still affordable.
For the very poor, there is always the medical social work service one can appeal to for free services. For health care it is a matter of choice but people still prefer the private hospitals in the mistaken belief that there is no waiting time. Among several issues affecting the senior citizens besides the common financial and health matters, emotional ones are less expressed especially loneliness and neglect by family members which are very private.
There are also issues relating to abuse and violence towards them, especially by care givers on whom the old folks have become totally dependent, therefore vulnerable.
We need to develop a ‘Neighbourhood Senior Support Programme’ (NSSP), which promotes caregiving for the seniors in our country under a national body, directly under the Ministry of Health.
Isolation is a serious problem for seniors. Without proper support, and access to services and recreation they will lose their ability to live independent and fulfilling lives.
NSSP will commit to keeping seniors connected in terms of assistance and community. It will promote an active and healthy lifestyle and assist them to remain living independently in their homes for as long as possible.
This neighbourhood programme should enhance life socially, physically, intellectually with an emphasis on promoting choice and dignity for elders.
Educational, recreational, social and health improvement activities with appropriate medical transportation, housing, medical/ dental information, caregiver listings, care management referrals and health insurance benefits must be a part of this programmeme.
Senior transportation provides shuttle service, shopping and recreational trips, medical and other transport services to seniors and adults with disabilities.
The seniors are not to be ignored nor forgotten. They are an asset of our nation, for they have given their best to their family, society, community, country and the world. We must treasure them for their contribution and their relentless efforts. I am reminded of Ingmar Bergman’s lines… “Old age is like climbing a mountain, you climb from ledge to ledge, the higher you get, the more tired and breathless you become, but your views become more extensive.”
We need the seniors to guide us through in trying times, with wisdom, advice and knowhow. It’s not easy to acquire these three from none, except the seniors. — Bernama