GEORGE TOWN: Mobile elder care services could help bridge gaps in healthcare access for senior citizens who struggle to travel for treatment, complementing the proposed National Integrated Care Centre of Excellence (NICE) in Penang under Budget 2027.
Retired shipping coordinator K. Santha, 67, said mobile teams could bring physiotherapy, mental health checks and mobility exercises closer to senior citizens, particularly those with limited access to transport.
“I live on the mainland and do not drive. Getting to the island means taking a ferry and bus.
“With my knee injuries, travelling for treatment can make things worse,” said Santha, who injured her shoulder and knees in a recent fall.
She called for mobile teams to visit communities to provide physiotherapy and other services, including acupuncture.
Under the Budget, two NICE centres will be set up in Penang and Sarawak to support training, research and elder care services.
Santha, who was met at an arm vitality exercise programme attended by over 1,000 senior citizens here yesterday, said the i-Emas scheme was a positive step as it allows retirees to make monthly withdrawals from their Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings.
She said she now lives on a tight budget after using her entire savings to settle her housing loan upon retirement.
“I wish I had known better and let my EPF grow rather than withdrawing everything.”
She also hoped for financial literacy programmes to help retirees better manage their savings.
Retired teacher Foo Chuat Meng, 68, who now works as a part-time lecturer, said rising living costs were putting pressure on pensioners.
He spends about RM500 a month on joint supplements.
“The Budget offers incentives but living costs keep rising. Pensions should increase with inflation. A basic meal outside used to cost RM3. Now it’s at least RM10.
“As we age, we also need to maintain a healthy diet to reduce the risk of diabetes and other ailments.”
Foo said he visited government hospitals after being quoted RM11,000 a year for medical insurance.
He hopes the government would provide free supplements or discounts for senior citizens.
“I do not want to stress my children. I want to be independent.”
He also called for more community activities to help senior citizens stay active.
