PETALING JAYA: The growing number of elderly in Malaysia has prompted the question: Are they ageing with dignity?
Going by statistics, many end up neglected, abandoned or are staring down financial ruin.
According to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, almost 16% of the 30,228 cases of domestic violence reported from 2020 till January this year involved elderly victims.
It also pointed out a worrying trend of more older folk becoming victims of financial abuse.
The ministry said that older people are vulnerable to financial abuse due to their diminished mental capacity, social isolation, generally low education and lack of awareness about scams.
The ministry said that abuse against the elderly is addressed under laws such as the Domestic Violence Act, but plans are underway to introduce specific legislation to further protect seniors.
“The ministry has completed a study for the development of a specific Act for this group. We are examining all aspects to ensure the welfare of senior citizens in the country is safeguarded,” the ministry told The Star.
Various parties will need to be consulted to develop a framework for the law, it said.
According to the Statistics Department, about 11.6% (3.9 million) of Malaysia’s population last year comprised those aged 60 and above.
It has also projected that Malaysia would become an “aged nation” within 15 years when more than 17% of the population is aged 60 and above by 2040.
To help older people in need, the ministry said that Talian Kasih, a round-the-clock helpline is available for those who require counselling, need to report abuses or even to seek shelter.
The ministry said senior citizens can also report financial scams via helplines run by the National Anti-Financial Crime Centre and CyberSecurity Malaysia.
Furthermore, the Welfare Department runs activity centres for older folk by providing awareness programmes on financial scams and asset management, among others.
A study conducted by the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency titled “Elder Financial Abuse: Protecting and Empowering Our Seniors” found that exploiting old folk financially was the most prevalent form of abuse out of the five types that were identified.
The other forms of abuse are psychological, physical, sexual and neglect.
The report said financial abuse was under-reported, with about one out of every 100 Malaysian seniors having gone through it.
Those who are vulnerable to financial and psychological abuse are usually men, low-income earners and those living alone.
Due to their limited finances, these older people are susceptible as their children face greater economic pressure as caregivers.
The study also showed that the risk of financial abuse increases with age, with those aged 70 and older being at greater risk.
Senior citizens who are socially isolated, suffer ill-health or are cognitively impaired were also likely to be ill-treated.
The study found that one out of every three elder victims would not share their plight with anyone, mainly because they were in denial and were hesitant about implicating their loved ones to avoid shaming the family. They were also clueless about where to seek help.
Furthermore, the report pointed out that longer lifespans have led to a growing number of elderly people experiencing cognitive impairments such as dementia, as well as physical limitations that require the assistance of a daily caregiver.
“These conditions are conducive for elderly abuse and neglect including financial abuse,” it said.
According to the report, digital technology like online banking and virtual transactions made financial exploitation even easier.
“For instance, family members who manage an older adult’s finances may be given access to their bank card and online password,” the report said.
