prepared by NORZIHAN BINTI KAMIS
Due to the increasing the population of elderly in Malaysia, government has provided some programs to support the older people in Malaysia. In Malaysia, formal social protection provided by the government includes social security programs and pension schemes. The implementation of the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), since its establishment in 1951, has been fairly successful. However, the fund is not without limitations. While the fund aims to provide income support for retired workers, it covers only a small proportion of the older population. Other than that, the government has provided elderly-friendly facilities that include housing, transportation, recreation facilities, appropriate restrooms, and lifts and ramps in public areas. But, treatment needs of the elderly group are high. Many of them are edentulous, however a growing number are retaining their natural dentition into old age. Many of these new elderly are functionally-independent, healthy, active and educated. They are more critical and are more demanding of a wider range of services.
Peoples could not depend on the Government programs only. The most important thing is the members of the family to take care for their parents. Typical cultural in Malaysia, have a long tradition of filial piety. Therefore, providing care and financial support to the elderly parents are responsible of the family. However, family care and support to the elderly parents in Malaysia now are not good as before. This is because of the several factors. The process of the modernization and the effect of the urbanization and the migration for work have created a situation where a young adult live apart. Thus, this will affect their ability to take care for their elderly parents. In addition, the declining family size has reduced the number of children in the family to share both social and financial support to their parents.
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