SENIORSALOUD is pleased to announce that we are supporting UMMC's MELoR project to study the needs and challenges of the ageing population in Malaysia.
MELoR is an ambitious research-based project that seeks to collect and collate data from 3000 respondents in selected areas in the Klang Valley. It will present the findings to the government. Let's hope they will adopt the findings and implement changes that will bring about a better quality of life for the senior citizens in Malaysia.
SeniorsAloud has always held the view that all ministries must work together to ensure a better future for our elders. Our needs extend beyond having access to adequate and affordable health care. They cover a wide spectrum of areas including age-friendly housing, public transport, elder rights, re-employment opportunities and financial support.
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We encourage our members and other warga emas residing in Lembah Pantai, Petaling Jaya Utara or Petaling Jaya Selatan to participate in the survey. It is time our views be heard, and this is an effective and credible way to get the policy-makers to listen to us. After all, our numbers are increasing, and our voices can only grow louder.
The MELoR team headed by Associate Prof Dr Sharul Kamaruzzaman will be meeting with SeniorsAloud members in the first week of April to explain the project and to interview them.
When we take care of the bookend generations - the children and the elders, everyone benefits.
Here is a write-up about MELoR in The Star dated 22 Nov 2013.
Catering to the aged
RESEARCH studies are vital to recognise concerns as well as access thoughts, opinions and feelings on issues ranging from culture to politics. Besides providing new insights on various topics, research plays an important role in making decisions for better living, too.
As our country moves towards an ageing society, it is important to take the necessary steps to meet the needs of a growing elderly population. As such, Universiti Malaya’s effort to conduct the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) comes at a timely juncture.
MELoR principal investigator Associate Professor Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman explained that the country is facing a “silver tsunami” as Malaysia’s ageing population is rapidly growing. She explained that action-orientated research is vital in facilitating our nation to prepare for the challenges facing senior citizens.
“The demographic transition from a young to older age structure has reached global proportions among the world’s population. Western countries became aged when they were already developed, but Malaysia – being a developing country – has a shorter time to adjust to this rapidly ageing population. This has significant implications for the country’s economy and the distribution of care services across all ages,” said Dr Shahrul.
The world’s population is undergoing an “ageing boom” as there is a rapid increase in the number of older people today. The Malaysian National Statistics Department Population Projection (2010-2040) states that the population aged 65 and above is estimated to increase three-fold by 2021. In 2010, there were two million people over 60 years (7%); this number will reach 3.4 million (11%) by 2020 and is expected to touch nine million (22%) by 2050. Compared to Western countries, the Malaysian elderly population is increasing even more rapidly.
MELoR aims to generate comprehensive data on the overall needs and issues faced by the older population in Malaysia. The study is unique in that the information is derived through interviews and health checks, covering all aspects of health, quality of life, housing, social needs, and economic and financial requirements.
Dr Shahrul explained that the research study would provide a solid foundation for a more strategic policy-making and legislative framework for the care of the elderly.
“Some of the common issues faced by seniors include lack of access to basic transportation, lack of age-friendly infrastructure and services within their community, rising cost of living including in assisted nursing homes, and clear paths in accessing medical care and services,” said Dr Shahrul, who is a consultant geriatrician at University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Elderly care is a national challenge as there are only 19 qualified geriatricians to cater to the 7% elderly population out of the country’s 28 million citizens. The majority of the specialists are in Kuala Lumpur (nine), Perak (three) and Johor (two), with one geriatrician each in Malacca, Penang, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak. Presently there are only 13 medical personnel who are training to be geriatricians.
“Our main aim is to assess and investigate the needs, issues and challenges of our growing older population. MELoR’s vision is to ensure a better standard of living for Malaysians as they grow older,” she explained.
Dr Shahrul added that a lot of the information that formed the basis for MELoR came from a focus group discussion and meetings with senior citizens’ organisations, residents’ associations, nursing home administrators and various NGOs in Malaysia.
The research is supported by the Education Ministry with a research grant of RM4.57mil for three years.
“The research aims to review current issues and needs of the elderly, with hopes of translating that into actual policies related to health and social care, in the legal, economic, financial and education sectors,” said Dr Shahrul. “MELoR hopes to be a vehicle for the development of a better support system for all Malaysians.”
MELoR is looking for senior citizens who would like to participate in the research project. The initial assessments will be conducted on three separate occasions. The first two visits will be home-based. The final visit will be at the study centre. Two research assistants will be assigned to the same participant throughout the study period.
Retired nurse Yoong Ee Fah, 70, applauds UMMC’s efforts to conduct MELoR, as the study could create a comprehensive framework to improve policies and legislations for the elderly.
“This is the first step towards generating comprehensive data on the needs and issues faced by the elderly. The study will be useful in improving the needs of the elderly, especially in the areas of transportation, medical care and legal protection,” said Yoong.
For more information, contact MELoR Room at 016-9711451 or email us at melor.um@gmail.com.
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