Latest news with #caregivers
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Struggling as a caregiver? Here's how you can navigate care work in Malaysia with subsidies, support and respite services
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — Care work is not something new in Malaysia especially when the country is on track to becoming an aged nation by 2030. Often referred to as a 'labour of love', although it is mostly hard work – care work duties often encompasses tasks such as cleaning the house, preparing children for school, cooking for the family or caring for an elderly parent. Not forgetting those with spouses or children or parents with chronic illnesses and disabilities – which usually means extra care work to cater to their specific needs. In Malaysia, most caregivers are informal or family members. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) Labour Force Survey in February 2024, there are 7.23 million people recorded as being outside the labour force, with the main reason being housework or family responsibilities. Do keep in mind that there are also working individuals who take on a 'second shift' as caregivers after their regular working hours – a responsibility that more often than not falls onto the women of the family, with some of the reasoning behind this being 'historical and cultural norms'. Since care work can often be taxing on a person, not just mentally and physically but also financially, here's a list of available subsidies for chronic illnesses, mental health support, and respite care programmes that could ease the burden on informal caregivers. This list includes programmes offered by local NGOs, hospitals and care service providers, with most requiring background checks and eligibility approval. Subsidised medical programmes Subsidised medical programmes could help unload some of the financial burden held by informal caregivers. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) has been around since 1966 and they are the first non-profit organisation in Malaysia to provide education, care and support services for people affected by cancer and the general public. NCSM offers an array of cancer and health screening services at a subsidised price which includes breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and normal medical screenings as well as x-ray services. They also have their own Nuclear Medicine Centre that provides immediate and affordable imaging scan facilities which includes bone scan, renal DTPA function study, renal DMSA scan, Meckel's diverticulum scan, and thyroid scan. Aside from that, NCSM also offers accommodation support including a transit home and transportation for the less fortunate who are receiving cancer treatment at either Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Tunku Azizah Hospital, Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, or National Cancer Institute. Please visit for more information. Beacon Hospital Local cancer specialist hospital, Beacon Hospital, in Petaling Jaya, also has a slew of welfare funds under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes. For breast cancer patients, they are offering two types of welfare funds or subsidised medical treatment programmes with the first one being their Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Welfare Fund where patients would only need to pay around 10 per cent of the charges. Chemotherapy could cost up to RM6,000 per cycle and patients would normally require around four to eight cycles of treatment. They also have the Targeted Therapy (HER2+) Welfare Fund for Breast Cancer where eligible patients are only required to pay RM2,500 per cycle for Trastuzumab treatment, which could initially cost up to approximately RM10,000 per cycle. There is also a programme for colorectal cancer chemotherapy where patients would need to pay around RM1,150 which is just 20 per cent of the initial cost. Beacon Hospital also offers radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatment starting as low as RM1,000 under their Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Welfare Fund. For more information, click here. IHH Healthcare Malaysia IHH Healthcare Malaysia launched their Life Renewed programme back in 2012 as part of their CSR initiative where they are providing free treatment for less fortunate patients across Malaysia. According to the official IHH Healthcare Malaysia website, the Life Renewed programme is available at all IHH Healthcare Malaysia hospitals, including Gleneagles, Pantai, Prince Court Medical Centre, and Timberland Medical Centre. At the moment, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur under the Life Renewed programme, is currently accepting applicants for those needing financial assistance for paediatric congenital heart surgeries. Find more information on how to apply here. Diabetes Malaysia Diabetes Malaysia (DM), formerly known as Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia, is an NGO that organises activities to raise awareness of diabetes and its complications, and to promote and improve diabetes care. Although they are known for spearheading regional conferences and educational programmes related to diabetes, DM also offers a range of subsidised diabetes-related products, such as glucose meters, insulin pens, footwear, glucose strips, and more, available to its members. DM membership is open to all for a yearly membership fee of RM10. Membership form and the subsidised product list are available here. National Kidney Foundation The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) offers a range of quality and comprehensive kidney care and support services for individuals diagnosed with kidney disease. Their services include subsidised haemodialysis services, peritoneal dialysis training and support services, kidney dialysis and transplant financial assistance as well as patient support programmes and education on chronic kidney disease. NKF also has centres all around Malaysia that adhere to standards set by the Ministry of Health with some of their centres having achieved full accreditation by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health. For more information on their welfare and subsidised programmes, please visit this link. Mental health support Life Line Association Malaysia also provides face to face counselling apart from their helpline. — Picture by Arif Zikri Providing care sometimes can take a toll on your mental health – if you're lonely, distressed, or having negative thoughts, here's a list of carelines offering over-the-phone mental health support and counselling: Befrienders KL offers 24-hour emotional support in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese and Tamil. Reach out to their helpline at 03-76272929. A full list of Befrienders contact numbers and state operating hours can be found here. Talian Kasih is a nationwide 24-hour careline established by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. Reach out to their toll-free hotline at 15999 or contact them via WhatsApp at 019-2615999, which is also available 24 hours a day. The Malaysian Mental Health Association also provides psychological therapy and support services via their helpline at 03-27806803. Their helpline is available on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, except for public holidays. Sneham Malaysia, an NGO formed in 2018, also offers a toll-free helpline at 1800-22-5757, which operates daily from 4pm to 8pm. Their counselling support is primarily in Tamil, but Bahasa Malaysia and English are also available. Life Line Association Malaysia offers counselling and support services via their new helpline at 15995 and their counselling is available in Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia and English. The helpline is available from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 1.30am. Respite care services Sometimes, it is good for family caregivers to take some time off from caregiving duties to prevent burnout, and respite care is one of the best options that can provide temporary relief for primary caregivers. Sometimes, it is good for family caregivers to take some time off from caring duties to prevent any burnouts and respite care is one of the best options that can provide temporary relief for primary caregivers. — Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri From in-house services to day-care centres and even companions for medical appointments, here's a list of available respite care services that might be worth checking out: Teman Malaysia Teman Malaysia offers both long- and short-term care services, which include companionship and caregiving services for the elderly, pregnant women, mothers with young children, and people with disabilities. Their short-term services also include providing companions for health appointments and dialysis treatment, charged at RM35 per hour. They also provide companions for leisure activities, priced at RM70 for two hours. Teman Malaysia also provides free consultations for those interested. Find more information on their packages here. Homage Operating in Singapore and Malaysia, Homage works with care recipients with a range of mobility and medical conditions, including chronic and terminal illnesses such as dementia, stroke, Parkinson's, and cancer. Their respite care services include assisting with daily living activities, medication reminders, physical exercises, nursing care, as well as night care. Homage's hourly charge for their Daily Living Care package with certified caregivers is RM30 per hour, while it is RM35 per hour for their nursing care by licensed nurses. Visit this link for more. My Aged Care My Aged Care's main focus is senior citizens, and they have several facilities located in Petaling Jaya, including nursing homes and a physiotherapy centre. They also have a wide range of services, including rehabilitation, palliative care, physiotherapy, and ambulance services. Their Daycare package covers 12-hour care, with prices starting at RM10 per hour (before 7pm), and RM15 per hour (after 7pm). The Daycare package includes four meals a day, as well as stimulating activities and beds for recipients' nap times. Find more information here.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Four people die in French holiday home fire
A fire that broke out on Monday killed four people at a cottage in southwestern France, where adults with learning disabilities had gone on holiday, a French government official said. Including a couple who owned the house, 14 people aged 20 to 75 were inside the stone house when the blaze broke out before dawn in the village of Montmoreau, according to local officials. The guests included eight people with learning disabilities as well as four carers. The victims included one of the owners of the isolated farmhouse and three people with disabilities, including a 60-year-old woman, said France's minister for people with disabilities, Charlotte Parmentier-Lecocq. "The woman who owned the property entered voluntarily to rescue the people inside and lost her life in the attempt," Parmentier-Lecocq said. Rescue teams arrived on site 20 minutes after they were called, but were unable to resuscitate one person they evacuated, declaring the victim dead by asphyxiation, deputy prefect Jean-Charles Jobart said. They then found two bodies in the remains of the house, he said. A fourth victim was found later in the day in the burned-down guesthouse, said Parmentier-Lecocq. A fifth person remains missing, though authorities expect to find them "in the rubble," she added. The fire, brought under control late in the morning by some 85 firefighters, also left four people injured -- one of whom was initially in critical condition but is now stable, the minister said. The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into manslaughter or unintentional injury, said Mathieu Auriol, a deputy prosecutor in the southwestern city of Angouleme. The National Gendarmerie Criminal Research Institute will carry out an investigation to "look for the causes" of the blaze, he added. - Reputable organisation - Deputy prefect Jobart said state services had inspected the cottage two years ago and approved it to welcome people with disabilities during the holidays. But Parmentier-Lecocq later said that the fire had started in an adjacent building, which had not undergone inspection in 2023. "We don't know what caused the fire, whether the smoke detectors worked properly, or how people became aware of the fire," she added. The minister added that the organisation that arranged the trip was reputable and trained, "particularly in fire safety". The fire comes almost two years after another blaze at a holiday home hosting adults with learning disabilities and their companions killed 11 people in eastern France. A prosecutor found that the home in the town of Wintzenheim was unlicensed and flouting fire security standards required for such a property. The guests on the lower floor of the timbered residence all managed to escape alive, but those on the upper floor found themselves trapped. It was the deadliest such fire disaster in the country since a blaze at a bar in the northern city of Rouen in 2016 killed 14 people. mar/ekf/ah/gv
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Coping in the middle: Inside the lives of informal caregivers balancing reality with emotional and financial strain
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — The term 'sandwich generation' refers to a group of middle-aged adults who are simultaneously caring for their own children and their ageing parents. They are essentially caught – or 'sandwiched' – between the responsibilities of supporting two different generations, including providing physical, emotional, and financial support. In Malaysia, most caregivers are informal or family members and according to the Department of Statistic Malaysia (DoSM) Labour Force Survey in February 2024, there are 7.23 million persons recorded as being outside the labour force, with the main reason being housework or family responsibilities. Keep in mind that there are also working individuals who take on a 'second shift' as caregivers after their regular working hours. Malay Mail has reached out to several caregivers, including those with special needs children, to share some of their experiences in providing care for their loved ones. A caregiver's journey Liew Chooi Mei is a mother of two children and has been an active volunteer for counselling NGO, Life Line Association Malaysia (LLAM), since 2014. Her mother, who had dementia, passed away in the same year she began volunteering at LLAM, just 14 years after her late father, who died of cancer. Both parents were cared for by Liew and her two siblings, who took turns caring for them. Liew admitted that her experience caring for her late mother was not a pleasant one and left her with regrets. This was partly due to her mother's worsening condition at the time, which eventually pushed Liew to her limits – leading to moments where she accidentally scolded her mother and even took to harming herself. 'Because we were not trained caregivers and we also get overwhelmed by our emotions. I thought I was good enough to take care of her because I used to work as a kindergarten teacher where I would normally take care of up to 30 children in a class sometimes. 'So I thought I had the patience but when dealing with my mom, especially after the hurtful things she said and the way she treated me – my patience just left me. 'Eventually I understood that was the dementia talking and she was not her true self, it changed her to a totally different person,' Liew said. During her caregiving journey, Liew mentioned that the counselling at LLAM has helped her a lot, especially in sharing her troubles. She felt luckier than others because she had a space to express herself and unload her emotional baggage while caring for her mother. She is now serving as the division leader for LLAM's public awareness programmes, continuing her mission to help caregivers provide quality and empathetic care through her numerous talks and seminars. She also shared a few pointers for caregivers: Let them talk and listen to what they have to say – Some might have something important to say, so it's important to lend them your ear While medication is one thing, taking the people you care about to some leisure activities could help lighten their mood Only a healthy caregiver can provide quality care – It is important for caregivers to take care of themselves first before taking care of others Caregivers may be limited by resources, so don't judge whether your actions are right or wrong – Your limits may hold you from giving your best to your family Getting respite care or sending your parents to daycare does not mean you've failed as a caregiver – It's okay to get some assistance Fulfilling yet demanding work Nurain Saiful Ahmad, 39, currently works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Putrajaya as an administrative and diplomatic officer. She is also a mother of two children, aged 12 and 14. In addition, she and her five siblings are caring for their parents. Her father, 69, has diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension, while her mother, 64, suffers from the same three illnesses and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 32. Nurain Saiful Ahmad (third from right) with her family. — Picture courtesy of Nurain Saiful Ahmad In 2021, her mother's condition worsened after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which left her wheelchair-bound and in need of close monitoring. Both of Nurain's parents are staying with her elder sister in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan and she would normally visit them twice a month. Although her elder sister is the primary caregiver, Nurain and her other siblings take turns visiting and caring for their parents, especially during Hari Raya or whenever their elder sister is unavailable or in need of a break. Nurain, who considers herself to be in a better financial position compared to her other siblings, spends around RM1,500 monthly on her parents' needs, including the monthly car loan payment for her father's vehicle, adult diapers, insulin needles, and more. She added that she volunteers her financial support because she doesn't want to burden her other siblings, especially the younger ones – her brother recently got married in May, while her youngest sister is still in the process of becoming financially independent. However, for more expensive medical needs and equipment, they usually divide the cost among themselves. 'I love taking care of both my parents and my children and at the same time, I am teaching my children to be independent which has been very helpful for both my husband and I. 'I feel like it's an honour to be able to provide basic needs to others and you know this is what you signed up for when you decide to get married and have children while your parents are ageing. 'I have never regretted this and I will continue to care for them for as long as I breathe. In fact, I even plan to volunteer at hospitals when I retire because I love taking care of sick people and I believe that you are at your most vulnerable state when you're sick and whatever help or assistance that you can get, would really support you to get through those difficult times,' Nurain said. When it comes to juggling her time between work, caring for her children, and looking after her parents, Nurain and her husband practice effective communication. For example, if she is too tired, her husband steps in for the rest of the day, and she returns the favour by covering for him the next day. Both Nurain and her husband utilise the calendar app on their phones – even to schedule 10 minutes of 'pillow talk', because they understand that even a short time together can make a big difference. Although her time is limited by her commitments, Nurain still manages to allocate some 'me time' for herself, whether it's taking a long nap, going for a walk in the park, or simply sitting in her reading chair at home. Her go-to activities also include playing badminton every Tuesday and karaoke, which she can easily do during her drive to work. Bittersweet acceptance Cason Ong Tzse Chun is 56 years old this year and is caring for his two special needs children with his wife, while also looking after his parents and an uncle. His daughter, 28, was diagnosed with developmental delay, while his son, 27, has autism. Cason Ong Tzse Chun and his family. — Picture courtesy of Cason Ong Tzse Chun Ong officially retired from his family's paper roll supply business in 2019 to spend more time with his children. He and his wife now run a small-scale homemade food business together to make ends meet. He is also active in volunteering with various organisations including serving as the National Autism Society Malaysia (Nasom) honorary secretary and Kiwanis Club Petaling Jaya's president. Speaking to Malay Mail, Ong said that his sister can be considered the primary caregiver for their parents, as they live closer to each other. However, Ong often takes turns with her to bring their parents to their medical appointments. Ong also takes care of his uncle, who previously lived alone but is now in a nursing home – a favour for his aunt, who is currently living in Singapore. Compared to what he has been through in the past, Ong describes his life as relatively smoother now. He recalled that he and his wife were expecting again a few years after their son was born. However, they made the decision to abort out of fear that their newborn wouldn't be able to live a quality life. 'You see, I already have two children with special needs, and let's say the third one came out normal – don't you think his or her life would be more stressful, having to take care of their brother and sister? The child would have no life,' he said. Sharing more about his children, Ong said that his son is currently working two part-time jobs, one of which is at a local speech therapy office in Puchong. He works as a general worker every Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm. For the rest of the weekdays, he would work as a part timer at a restaurant which is owned by Ong's friend for about five hours per day. He also takes his daughter to the Lovely Disabled Home in Petaling Jaya on weekdays. The home is an NGO that provides job opportunities to physically and mentally challenged individuals aged 18 and above. The reason Ong encourages his children to work is not only to teach them how to earn a living and be independent, but also to help them adapt to the working environment. He sees it as valuable training, especially for his daughter, who has difficulty with fine motor skills. Patience and perseverance Caregiving is not just demanding work; it also requires a lot of patience, empathy, and, most of all, perseverance. It continues until the end. This is how 69-year-old Dorothy George Dass described her journey in raising her now 24-year-old son, Abraham Isaac Pereira, who was diagnosed with autism when he was six years old. Abraham Isaac Pereira (centre) together with his mother Dorothy George Dass (left) and his sister Denise Frances. — Picture by Hari Anggara Despite being on the autism spectrum, Abraham holds a diploma in Automotive Engineering and is currently working as a mechanic, with a lifelong dream of working for an F1 team in the future. This all did not happen overnight, Dorothy shared. It required a lot of repetitive work and hours of behavioural therapies which they managed to get at Nasom. 'There were a lot of frustrations in teaching, there's a lot of repetitive work. 'We couldn't just leave what we've learned from the teachers and therapies at the centre, we have to bring it home and continue it. 'We just have to keep repeating ourselves until he gets it right,' Dorothy said. Dorothy, who works as a senior operations admin at a local vending machine supplier company, added that she is grateful to have had employers who were very understanding of her situation. This was especially true when she had to go back and forth between dropping her son off at school and being present at some of his therapies and activities at Nasom, including choir classes and performances. * If you are lonely, distressed, or having negative thoughts, Befrienders offers free and confidential support 24 hours a day. A full list of Befrienders contact numbers and state operating hours is available here: There are also free hotlines for young people: Talian Kasih at 15999 (24/7); Talian BuddyBear at 1800-18-2327(BEAR)(daily 12pm-12am); Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Life Line Association Malaysia helpline at 15995 and Jakim's Family, Social and Community Care Centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214).
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Caring for the carers: A social enterprise steps in to assist Malaysia's ‘sandwich gen'
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — Juggling work, parenthood and elderly care, Malaysia's 'sandwich generation' often faces burnout due to a lack of proper support systems. Caught between responsibilities, many have been forced to quit their jobs so they can care for their family full-time because there are few accessible alternatives. And then the Covid-19 pandemic happened. For Teman Malaysia co-founder Ezzati Nasir, the time during the movement control order (MCO) highlighted a crucial need for these carers – caregivers. 'We saw a lot of problems that occurred among the seniors because their children were not able to go back to their parents. 'So that was our focus at the time,' she told Malay Mail in a recent interview. Ezza Nasir, chief executive officer and co-founder of Teman Malaysia. — Picture courtesy of Yayasan Hasanah Turning challenges into opportunities Teman Malaysia was born in 2020 through an incubator programme called Social Enterprise Education Laboratory, powered by Petronas and Tata Consultancy Services. Although there were already caregiving services in the market, the demand far outweighed the supply. 'We were part of the programme that was a place where social enterprises that solve social problems were put together, at the time also helping to solve youth unemployment,' Ezzati said. 'We were then looking for ways on how we can create a business that is able to create job opportunities to reduce youth unemployment rate at the time. 'That's when we coupled the problem together; seniors who don't have anyone to help them, and those who are in need of work/job opportunities.' She said jobs like food delivery during the pandemic were mostly taken up by men, leaving women with fewer options. Teman created an opportunity for unemployed women, especially as caregiving roles in Malaysian households typically fall on women. 'Our main objective was to incorporate the whole seniors ecosystem, however we're not trying to provide healthcare services,' Ezzati said. 'We were focused on seniors who are still able but their children are not confident enough to let them do things on their own, so they just need a teman around. 'That's how the Teman name came about.' How Teman works Unlike nursing services or retirement homes, Teman supports independent seniors who just need help with tasks like going to appointments, grocery shopping, or simply someone to chat with. 'I initially wanted to create a pool of Temanians who could accompany seniors who wanted to do the fun stuff like sports, recreational activities, eating and shopping. 'But as the team grew, we noticed that in Malaysia the need for medically related caregivers was still the main demand,' Ezzati said. Teman started with 10 caregivers. Today, over 300 people have been trained, with 40 to 60 actively working, mainly in the Klang Valley. 'One of our first training partners was the National Cancer Society Malaysia, recognising that many caregiving skills overlap with those used in palliative or long-term care,' said Ezzati. The enterprise is working on a 'travelling Temanian' package for families who want to travel with elderly parents who need support. 'It is my dream to be able to offer this type of service to help ease a family when they are travelling with seniors, but currently we don't have full-time caregivers. 'For now, we have Temanians who apart from being a caregiver, they help support an existing caregiver, allowing the main caregiver some time off and personal time,' Ezzati said. From just 10 people initially, Teman now has over 300 trained Temanians with 40 to 60 actively working, mainly in the Klang Valley. — Picture courtesy of Yayasan Hasanah Teman operates on a pay-per-hour model, with short-term and long-term packages ranging from six hours to up to 10 hours daily, in 20-day booking blocks. 'Seventy per cent of the fees go directly to the Temanians, with the remaining 30 per cent sustaining the organisation,' Ezzati said. With funding support from Yayasan Hasanah, Teman offers subsidised care for underserved seniors and families. 'Those referred by the Department of Social Welfare or zakat agencies receive services for free, funded through a blend of sponsorship and cross-subsidisation. 'Every month, we allocate 20 hours of free service for those who can't afford it. 'We're also exploring how by offering slightly premium services could help fund the cost of care for less fortunate clients,' Ezzati said. Call for regulation When Teman first launched, Ezzati said Malaysians didn't see caregiving as a real job. 'Before Teman started, the climate at the time was that this is not something many Malaysians would like to do. 'They don't look at this as a career opportunity. Formerly they would rather pay a domestic helper to take up this role, but now we can see a prospect of this becoming an income earner. 'We've seen many women who had to stop work to care for their children or sick parents, now their parents are no longer here, they already have the skill set to be a caregiver, why not join Teman and earn an income?' Despite growing demand, Ezzati said Malaysia still lacks a clear national caregiving framework. Her team is now working with non-profit groups like Kendana, and government agencies, seeking regulations for the welfare of caregivers and those on the receiving end.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
You're becoming a parent? Prepare to get injured.
Before you become a parent, you receive lots of well-meaning warnings. 'You'll be tired' or 'you'll be busy.' The warning they forget: You'll get injured. Every parent I know has a tale of orthopedic woe — of tweaking her back when trying to carry toddlers or breaking his foot while rushing to a crying child in the night or simply straining their hands from nonstop scrubbing of baby bottles.
