Turning welfare institutions into “dumping grounds” for the elderly is at a concerning level, operators say.
Victory Home Welfare Association Malaysia general affairs officer Loo Choon Teong said the trend of “passing the buck” among next-of-kin was affecting the operation of care centres.
He said managing and taking care of one resident at the centre in Puchong, Selangor, could cost RM1,000 monthly.
However, out of the 81 residents there, only 40 next-of-kin contributed around RM200 to RM300 per month, he told Bernama.
“To cover the financial gap, we have to rely on assistance from other associations as well as our own fundraising initiatives such as organising bazaars and selling festive cookies,” he added.
Loo said a law requiring children to support their elderly parents should be introduced, to raise public awareness of preserving seniors’ welfare.
“For children who still have parents, never drive them away even if they have hurt us before,” he urged.
Malaysian Association of Social Care Professionals and Nursing Homes secretary-general Dr Melody Ang Xing Yuen said the situation of neglect often stemmed from lack of mental preparation and skills within families in managing long-term care for the elderly.
She said when a parent suddenly experienced a health crisis such as stroke or dementia, families tended to panic because they lacked formal training, aside from feeling burdened by financial pressures.
She said families who initially tried to care for their parents on their own, would usually end up hiring foreign maids without specific training.
Some even placed their parents in care centres relying on unprofessional staff, Dr Ang noted.
At Pusat Jagaan Orang Tua Cahaya Maju in Batu Caves, the majority of its 32 residents no longer received financial support from their next-of-kin, said the centre’s founder Dr R. Saravanan.
Such neglect, he said, forced operators to struggle with operational costs ranging from RM400 to RM500 for each elderly person, covering expenses such as treatment, rent, utilities, employee salaries and daily necessities like disposable diapers and food.
“In fact, there are irresponsible actions by a handful of next-of-kin who are found to have received financial assistance on behalf of the elderly involved, but do not channel it to the care centre,” he noted.
Saravanan also suggested a law be enacted requiring children to support their elderly parents.
It was reported last November that the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was reviewing Islamic Family Law 1984, including on the matter of parental maintenance.
