PETALING JAYA: An expert on ageing has called for a move towards a care paradigm that emphasises the use of the family homes of the elderly.
Commenting on a government statement that it is considering a law to address the forsaking of old people, Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society adviser Nathan Vytialingam dismissed the idea of building new nursing homes and activity centres as simplistic.
The idea was mentioned in the Dewan Negara recently by deputy women, family and community development minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff when she spoke of the government’s plan for the new law.
Nathan told FMT he was concerned over the apparent narrowness of the government’s thinking.
“Most countries are adopting the mantra of ‘ageing in place’, where you bring the care and the therapy to the homes of the elderly rather than seeking a nursing home that provides it,” he said.
Nathan, who is also on the advisory council of the Global Coalition on Ageing, said this was a cheaper approach for families and the government and could also provide better personalised care.
“I have nothing against institutionalised care like nursing homes, but often the focus is too much on the hardware and the physical environment and not on the carers and the software, the structures in place to promote healthy ageing,” he said.
He said studies showed that physical, mental and social wellbeing tended to deteriorate quickly in nursing homes that did not provide the individualised care or lacked certified aged care professionals.
Nathan said care of the aged must be treated as more than a health issue with several ministries needed to ensure that people maintain a high quality of life in their golden years.
“The education ministry can come in with policies promoting lifelong learning, for example. Has there ever been a sports minister who has talked about sports for the elderly, which we know can promote physical health and social skills?
“The public must also be educated, not only on how to provide their older family members with the best care they can, but also on how they can maintain healthy habits themselves as they grow older.”
He said the government would be wise to consult with experts in drawing up new laws and planning initiatives for the elderly and also with seniors themselves.
“Ageing cannot be viewed as a negative thing. More and more, people are beginning to embrace the idea of ageing gracefully and remaining independent, productive members of society. They must be empowered to do so,” he said.
Published Originally at Free Malaysia Today (FMT) Read HERE
