GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the government to adopt the Universal Design framework to better prepare for the country's rapidly ageing population.
This is in line with the prediction that by 2030, Malaysians aged 60 and above are expected to increase to 15 per cent of the population, as compared to only three per cent aged 65 and above in 1970.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the country has to address the needs of an ageing population.
"Malaysia will not be able to address the problems caused by a declining birth rate and a rapidly ageing population if it does not start now.
"As such, we call upon the government and the private sector to adopt the Universal Design," he said today.
The Universal Design is a framework for the designing of living and working spaces, and products to benefit the widest possible range of people for use in the widest range of situations without the need of special or separate design.
A simple example of the Universal Design application is the inclusion of ramps in buildings that can be used by most people of all ages, health conditions, and for multiple uses.
Mohideen said the government should prioritise the needs of the country's ageing population instead of encouraging the construction of retirement villages, which serve only a small segment of society.
"In the very first instance, Malaysia is not even prepared, as it only had 35 geriatricians in 2018 when about 650 of them were needed. Can the country produce enough geriatricians in another decade?
"Senior citizens are also prone to financial instability because they are often considered 'unemployable' because of their age and health conditions.
"In the meantime, their health problems (particularly chronic and debilitating illnesses) as well as escalating healthcare costs negatively impact on their living expenses.
"In such a predicament, what future do they have?" he asked.
Last month, it was reported that half of all Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors have savings of less than RM50,000 for their retirement. Even living off on RM1,000 per month will only last the person about four years.
Reality hit when EPF stated that 90 per cent of rural households and 86 per cent of urban ones have no savings, let alone financing for their healthcare.
Mohideen said in recent years, there were promotions of retirement villages, even touted by the government as the way forward, but only a few could afford such a luxury.
Currently, homes for the elderly come under three broad categories: those operated under the Social Welfare Department (SWD), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and profit-motivated private providers.
According to the SWD 2018 Year Book, there are 6,927 senior citizens in registered care centres operated by NGOs and private establishments.
"The government should encourage NGOs to augment the role taken up by SWD than that of private providers in operating retirement villages that do not fulfil the needs of the larger segment of the elderly population.
"NGOs are providing a range of services to support an individual in their own home; operating day care centres; and residential homes for those who need to be institutionalised. These care centres or residential homes have limited purpose, as they can only take in limited number of residents and are expensive to operate.
"As long as the elderly person is relatively healthy and physically independent, it is advisable for him to remain integrated in the community, but the community must have facilities to accommodate his needs such as building features (example unobstructed passages and gentle ramps) for the less able," he added.
Singapore's Housing and Building Development Board (HDB), he noted, has been proactive in coping with Singapore's ageing population.
He added that HDB incorporated Universal Design into its city planning, so that its housing projects would accommodate residents of all ages – from children to the elderly – with ample community spaces.
He further added that HDB's projects add fitness facilities for every age group, regardless of their health conditions. Lift buttons have Braille markings to ensure that the visually impaired are not left out.
"As it is, Malaysia is unprepared for an ageing society. The country needs to seriously do something now.
The time has come for the government and the private sector to adopt the Universal Design," he added.