Factual
/ Expository
Caring
for our old folks.
Malaysia can be considered to be
a young nation. This is because at the present moment about 5% of our
population is above 65 years of age and by 2020 this figure is expected to
increase by 2%.
Nevertheless caring for our old
folks is still a problem as improved public health facilities will sec an
increase in life expectancy. The main problem with the elderly is in finding
people to care for them. In the past, this was not a problem because many Asian
families lived under one roof. There were several generations living together
and there were always people to look after the very young and the very old.
Today, the scenario has changed tremendously and the extended family is a thing
of the past.
The young in urban areas today,
are very concerned about space and privacy. Urban houses, these days, are
designed such that there is only room for one nuclear family, a couple and
perhaps two kids. Besides, it is not fashionable these days to have their folks
living with them. When there is not much space, the elderly was certainly not
welcome. Besides, the care of the elderly was traditionally a woman’s job.
Women looked after their own parents and parents-in-law. Today, however, many women
go out to work and in this sense, the task of finding people to provide care
becomes a problem.
In the face of such problems,
solutions have to be found. The best solution appears to be the inculcation of
strong family values among the young. Filial piety needs to be preached again
among the young. The government, on the other hand, should help by redefining
the housing policy in order to cater for the needs of elderly parents in an
extended family.
Next, charitable organisations
can help bring in the funding to help care-givers operate homes for the old
folks that are better equipped. The authorities, on the other hand have the
responsibility of improving conditions in such institutions. Places such as
these need to be monitored and care-givers need to be given professional
training.
In conclusion, many of our senior
citizens have spent their youth giving to and serving the country. Therefore,
in their old age, it is only right that society returns the debt owed to them.
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