Caregivers undertake valuable service

MOST Malaysian families are caregivers involved in caring for older adults, usually their parents, older sibilings or relatives.

Caregivers also look after their handicapped/sick husband, wife or other family member with an infirmity.

Many senior citizens today are themselves caregivers to their parents, siblings or even grandchildren. Providing that care can be a rewarding experience as well as a challenging one.

Today, family caregivers are the backbone of Malaysia’s long-term care system. They often make personal sacrifices to care for the loved one but it can also be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking.

It is important therefore that the Government and society recognise and value what they do.

They are in fact the ones who are relieving the Government of financial and welfare support.

While some hospitals hold talks for caregivers and provide some counselling support, there is so much more that the Government and society can do to assist.

Rising cost of living, has made it necessary for the Government to take concrete measures to help lighten the load of caregivers, especially the elderly ones. As a caregiver myself, let me share some thoughts on how help and support can be given.

Many countries, such as Canada, the United States and Singapore, gives tax relief to individuals (caregivers) looking after their live-in elderly parent or dependents.

Financial help in terms of tax relief (perhaps equivalent to relief for a spouse) can be given to individuals looking after their aged parents/sibiling/relative at home.

A family caregiver takes away the need of the Government to provide financial support or evan a place in a welfare/old-folks home. Tax relief should also be give to these individuals to help them financially.

It is surprising and sad to note that free medical service for parents of civil servants is stopped once these elderly civil servants are pensioned – we do not need to be reminded that their parents are often in the 80s or above!

I am sure all Malaysians do not mind paying for our elderly senior citizen over 80, who have not that many years to live.

In fact, free medical services at government hospitals can easily be provided to all Malaysians over the age of 75 or 80.

It is commendable that the MCA has proposed (The Star, Oct 3 Oct) a one-off relief for senior citizens, pensioners and the poor. Perhaps this can be in the form of an annual tax credit or annual special allowance given to all in need, including caregivers.

After all, non-working caregivers may be forced to give up their job (or work part-time) nor do they enjoy unemployment benefits.

Many Malaysian adults over 55 (retirees mainly) also look after their elderly parents or relatives who have no income to support themselves.

These caregivers may have limited income or sometimes get sick themselves. Tax relief and even free medical services for caregivers would certainly help them financially.

Hiring help is sometimes the only option for many working or elderly caregivers.

Often, a maid is required to help and family siblings often contribute financially. It is necessary that an easy approval system for employment of maid be initiated by the Immigration Department for the caregivers and senior citizen.

Combined income of two or three working sibilings or pensioners should be allowed for approval for the employment of a maid.

To ensure that our senior citizens not only have a roof over their heads but also some monthly income, the Government, banks or Housing Ministry can help by a system of ‘reverse mortgage’ schemes.

Under such a scheme, senior couples or a single senior citizen (over 60 or 65) who owns a house can receive a monthly income against the mortgage principle of the house over their lifetime. The senior citizen remains the owner and occupies the house throughout his or her lifetime, without repayment or servicing of the loan.

The senior homeowners’ obligation to repay the loan is deferred until the owner dies, then the home is sold or when they cease to live in the property. Government support and sponsorship is necessary for such a scheme.

Many seniors citizens are still working and caring for their elderly loved ones.

Changes to our current system of taxation, proper administration of our senior citizens needs and managing the society’s system of caregiving requires serious attention.

Perhaps the coming budget can address these needs.

A RETIREE AND CAREGIVER, Sungai Petani.