Bid to streamline nursing and retirement home services - Star Metro News

19 Sept 2018

Golden Peacock Home in Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok in Pulau Tikus.

THE Penang Old Folks Home Operators Association is urging all nursing and retirement home operators to join them as members.

Association secretary Santok Singh said the move would better regulate and streamline quality of service in the sector.

He said the association had been facing problems in running and managing nursing, ageing and retirement homes due to local government regulations.

“With better regulation and streamlining of service quality in the sector, it is easier to monitor and control the industry.

It is projected to increase to 3.3 million in 2020, based on figures provided by the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences.

He said it was part of the association’s effort to help local government and families to manage the increase of the elderly population.

He said they would submit a proposal to the Chief Minister’s office for assistance and consideration.

“Malaysia is on the same boat with other developing countries in Asia on this issue.

Senior citizens resting at the Golden Peacock Home in Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok in Pulau Tikus.

“We are having an ageing society issue and it is expected that the numbers are going to increase and multiply in times to come.

“It is indeed an issue that needs urgent attention from all stake holders.

“In view of increasing ageing population which cannot be ignored, we the association members wish to join hands with the state government to find solution to resolve this non-reversible issue,” he said.

Santok said the proportion of the aged population would be higher in the urban than the rural area.

“The change in the demographic pattern of the aged population will also influence the distribution of healthcare resources.

“Frailty is often compounded by problems such as urinary incontinence, instability, falls and acute confusional states.

“Few elderly persons can escape the accumulation of chronic pathologies as they grow older.

“Consequently, multiple pathologies resulting in multiple symptoms are a common phenomenon in the elderly.

“Incontinence, for example, is a common occurrence and for those taking care of these people, it is a time consuming and sometimes, an unpleasant task,” he said.

He added that retirement homes would be ideal as residents would be among those of the same age group and surrounded by professional helpers.

For details, contact 012-4922822 or e-mail santok5060@gmail.com.

Launching of KOHIJAU-GOLDEN AGE CLUB HOUSE

26 August 2018

YAB Dr. Nomee Binti Dato' Radzi Manan and YB Wong May Ing came to launch the KOHIJAU Golden Age Club House on 26 August 2018. Located at Taman Pinji Mewah, the club house will provide senior citizens in Ipoh a place fo fellowship. Also presence include Ex Perak Exco for Women Development, Datuk Rusnah Kassim. It was attended by about 200 people.

The KOHIJAU Golden Age Club House (KOHIJAU-GACH) was mooted by a group of NGOs in anticipation of the need for caregiving services with the expected increase in the rate of ageing society in Perak. According to the statistics from the Perak Family Planning and Development Board, by the year 2020, 15% of the population of Perak or 450,000 people will be in the aged group (above 60 years of age).

KOHIJAU being one of the members of the Coalition of Caring NGOs in Perak took the initiative to start this so call club house where senior citizens can gather and have fellowship. It is run under the Social Business concept where those using the place will be charged a reasonable fee to help fund the operations in order to stay sustainable.

House in a 8-room bungalow with 20 beds, the club house started renovation work in July 2018 with assistance from the generous public  in terms of donation in cash and kind. To date we are very pleased to note that over 100 generous people have responded positively towards the setting up of this project. They have contributed cash, beds, mattresses, wheel chairs, resting chairs, dining tables, sofa sets, refrigerators, washing machine, LCD TV, LED lights, office chairs and tables, potted plants, curtains and blankets with a value of approximately RM70,000. However, to run a reasonable good centre, a minimum of RM120,000 is required. I believe our good intention will receive help from corporate companies and individuals. You never know this Golden Age Club House will help serve us one day. We are appealing for contrbution in terms of LCD TV, Exercise Equipment, Potted Plants, Floor Mat.

Some of our dedicated members of KOHIJAU and Ipoh City Watch as well members from the Lions Club of Perak Silver State have also volunteered their free time cleaning up the 8-room bungalow house provided by one of our members on a subsidised  rental rate. We need volunteers especially university and college students to come help volunteer to take care of our senior citizens. Our aim is to cultivate a caring society among us and show our love and appreciation to these people. This is especially so with so many senior citizens left alone at home by busy children or society.

The centre will be opened to public effective 1st October 2018 once all approval from the authorities have been obtained. Among the services planned by KOHIJAU-GACH include basic daily rental as guest house for public with first priority for family with senior citizen age above 60, care giving services for senior citizens, transport services for    medical check up, fun trip, and day care centre. The centre will also be opened  to senior citizens for fellowship and gathering where they can hold meetings, cooking session, BBQ,  singing, dancing and use of the mini gym. There will also be a mini library and a pantry to cater their needs for a small fee.

As our country is approaching an Aged Society with more and more people reaching the age above 60, new social problems will emerge. Many senior citizens are left to fend for themselves despite their deteriorating physical conditions.

We hope the KOHIJAU-GOLDEN AGE CLUB HOUSE will be abel to play a small but meaningful role. With the support of 25 NGOs and the publics, we intend to duplicate this effort to reach out to more people who are in need.

KOHIJAU in collaboration with Open University Malaysia is offering Professional Caregiving Skill Course from Level 2 to Level 5 to train volunteers and single mom to be equiped with the required skills to handle senior citizens. 21 volunteers have signed up for the 3-month course starting in Auguest 2018. These volunteers will help manage the KOHIJAU-GOLDEN AGE CLUB HOUSE

I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone who have contributed their free time and money towards the successful setting up of this centre. We welcome Organisations and  Individuals to help sponsor senior citizens as part of their CSR programme. We also welcome volunteers and university/college students to come and show their care and love for the senior citizens.