A call to action: Protecting and supporting our senior citizens
With an ageing population, we are facing a growing demand for healthcare services, retirement security, and elder-friendly infrastructure. Many of our elderly struggle with financial insecurity, chronic illnesses, and social isolation.
Some have no pension or savings to fall back on, while others, despite years of hard work, find themselves dependent on their children or even living in poverty.
The government, private sector, and civil society must work together to create policies and programmes that provide security, dignity, and support for our elderly population.
Among the things we can do to improve elderly healthcare include:
• More investment in geriatric healthcare, home care services, and community-based health programmes.
• Accessible and affordable healthcare should be a priority, including long-term care facilities and palliative care services.
• Preventive healthcare must be encouraged to ensure our seniors live healthier, independent lives for as long as possible.
• Strengthen social protection schemes such as EPF, SOCSO, and government pensions to ensure financial security in old age.
• Encourage lifelong savings and financial literacy to prepare individuals for retirement.
• Provide tax incentives for family members who care for elderly parents or support for affordable assisted living.
• Senior citizens must be constantly vigilant against scams as they are often targeted by fraudsters who are out to exploit the trust, loneliness, or lack of technological literacy of seniors, leading to devastating loses of lifelong savings and emotional trauma.
• Community programmes should be strengthened to combat social isolation, including senior citizen centres, recreational activities, and digital literacy programs.
• Foster a culture of respect and appreciation for the elderly, ensuring they are valued members of our communities.
• Employers should be encouraged to provide flexible work options for senior citizens who are still able and willing to contribute.
• Our public infrastructure, transport systems, and housing must be senior-friendly.
• More accessible public spaces, barrier-free buildings, and improved mobility services for seniors will enhance their quality of life.
Beyond policies and programmes, the most important thing we can offer our elderly is care and compassion.
We must never forget that today's seniors were once the backbone of our nation — teachers, farmers, doctors, factory workers, and parents who built the society we enjoy today.
As a society, we must ask ourselves: Are we doing enough? Are we ensuring that our elderly are not left behind? Are we showing them the respect and gratitude they deserve?
That's why there is an urgent need to institutionalise the rights, protections, and welfare of senior citizens through a dedicated Senior Citizens Bill.
Such legislation is not only timely but necessary to ensure that the elderly population is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness across all facets of society.
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