Dr S Kantha Ruban, a council member of the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society, said these centres could significantly reduce the emotional and physical strain borne by children who take on the responsibility of looking after their aged parents.
“These centres could provide resources for preventive care, social activities and support services that enhance the quality of life for the elderly,” he told FMT.
Kanta said such centres will allow healthy ageing among the elderly and ensure they remain productive, benefiting both their families and society.
He said Malaysia should follow the example set by Singapore, where the government has allocated approximately S$100 million (RM334 million) this year to fund over 200 ageing centres.
According to Kanta, elderly care in Malaysia can cost anywhere between RM3,000 and RM8,000 per month, usually in the form of medical expenses, personal care, nutrition and necessary home modifications.
However, a 2023 survey showed that only 40% of young Malaysians felt confident about being able to provide the necessary resources for their parents to age comfortably at home, he said.
The United Nations projects that Malaysia will become an ageing nation by 2030, when 15% of its population will be aged 60 and over.
Kantha said those who take on the task of caring for the elderly also often have to endure non-financial burdens such as emotional stress, physical strain and social isolation. It also tends to impact their careers, he added.
He said young Malaysians these days are being asked to make the tough choice of balancing between their work, ambitions and personal life on the one hand, and the needs of their ageing parents on the other.
“They may also not be able to give full-time care due to the rising cost of living,” said Kanta.
Dr Tan Maw Pin, a professor in geriatric medicine at Universiti Malaya, said many young people, having only recently completed their studies or started their careers, lack the financial means to care for their elderly parents.
She said government aid, such as Bantuan Sara Hidup, offers only temporary relief and is not a sustainable long-term solution.
Those reliant on such assistance may also find themselves jobless and penniless when the aid ends upon the death of the parent, she added.