Nacscom president Soon Ting Kueh acknowledged that residents in the vicinity of one of the homes it runs in the Klang Valley had complained about increased noise levels and traffic congestion after it hosted a social event with a large gathering.
However, he said, those complaints were limited to the resulting noise pollution and traffic congestion, issues which the NGO has sought to minimise through better organisation.
Soon said residents may also complain if the facility in their neighbourhood is unlicensed.
He called for the public to be understanding and patient with the operators of these homes, as they serve a good cause.
“These homes give proper care and make seniors feel comfortable,” he told FMT.
Hopefully, residents of neighbourhoods in which they are situated will exercise some level of compassion and put up with minor disturbances, he added.
Soon said families with older relatives would likely see these homes as an advantage.
“Having the care centre built nearer to their homes is convenient. Families will be able to visit their loved ones more often,” he said.
Earlier this month, Lily Hamaddah Ramle, the principal assistant director in the research and development division of the town and country development department, said elderly care home operators tend to face opposition from residents in the neighbourhood when they seek to renew their five-year licences.
She said some people are uncomfortable with the presence of such homes in their neighbourhoods, believing that they devalue their own properties.
Malini Selva, communications manager for senior living residence Acacia, said neighbourhood residents tend not to be welcoming of unlicensed care homes.
She urged all operators to “do everything by the book” to dispel any negative perception the public may have towards elderly care homes.
“Our centre is licensed under the Care Centres Act 1993, and our caregivers also go through intensive training. In that sense, we make sure that everything we do is by the book and that we are following the regulations,” said Malini.
Soon urged the public to report the presence of unlicensed facilities and any abuse of the elderly at care homes to the welfare department.
“We were told of cases where old folks were made to sleep on the floor in cramped conditions. We took photos and got the welfare department to investigate,” he said.
Prepare for an ageing population
Property expert Consilz Tan highlighted the need for a long-term plan to accommodate Malaysia’s increasingly ageing population.
By 2040, 14.5% of Malaysians will be citizens aged 65 years old and above, nearly double the 8.1% recorded this year, according to the statistics department.
Tan suggested the introduction of a blueprint to develop retirement villages and enhance existing facilities that offer elderly care services.
“The government should push for the adoption of digital technology in care centres to improve service quality,” she said.