MORE targeted programmes for senior citizens are being planned in Putrajaya to address issues such as loneliness and the need for recreation and social engagement.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) would hold a town hall to gather feedback from senior citizens before deciding on suitable programmes.
She said the needs of an ageing urban population had to be taken into account when planning programmes.
This was also necessary to optimise spending, otherwise some senior citizens could risk being left behind, she said after launching the Putrajaya Senior Citizens Day celebration at Putrajaya Corporation Complex.
Yeoh said existing community programmes and spending could be adapted to suit older participants, including simple adjustments such as providing food that was easier for them to eat.
She said recreational activities should also be tailored to different interests and groups.
“There are many sports suitable for senior citizens.
“We have organised free aerobics at public housing schemes but most of those who turn up are women.
“Perhaps the men prefer different activities.”
She added that loneliness was another major issue facing senior citizens in urban areas.
Yeoh said older people living in villages were more likely to know their neighbours and meet friends during their daily routine, while those living in large urban neighbourhoods could find it harder to make such connections.
She also cautioned against assuming that senior citizens with children or grandchildren were not lonely.
In her speech, Yeoh said programmes needed to recognise the different physical capabilities of senior citizens, noting that the needs of someone aged 60 could be very different from those of an 80-year-old.
She said PPj and the Federal Territories Department (JWP) would be asked to look at how next year’s budget could be adjusted to better support senior citizens.
The minister said Putrajaya could serve as a starting point for developing such programmes.
“If we cannot implement these programmes successfully in Putrajaya, I need not even think about Kuala Lumpur,” she said, referring to the greater difficulty of reaching elderly residents in areas such as public housing.
The celebration also featured the “Anugerah Seri Emas Sejahtera Putrajaya”, an award that recognised 15 senior citizens across 10 categories.
The 10 categories included volunteerism, community service, mentoring, active living, leadership and promoting harmony. Each recipient received RM1,000 and a trophy.
Also present were PPj president Datuk Mohd Sakeri Abdul Kadir and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor (academic and international affairs) Prof Datuk Dr Fariza Md Sham.
