KUALA LUMPUR: "I was speechless when my brother sent me to the old folk's home," said Ali, 64, a resident of the Husna Arrashid Senior Citizens Home in Setapak, who wished to be identified only by his first name.
Ali, who has been living at the care home for 10 years, said his brother was forced to send him to the centre for better care after he suffered a stroke in 2014.
As the youngest of five siblings, he never imagined spending the rest of his life in a care centre.
"Before this, I was placed in a care home in Sentul for four years. Initially, I didn't expect my brother to send me to a nursing home, but after suffering a stroke and leaving the hospital, I was immediately sent to Sentul.
"I admit that I was disappointed, but there was nothing I could do. My brother didn't say anything, so I chose to stay silent. Besides, I live alone after my divorce.
"It is indeed sad to be spending my old age here and not with my family," he told Harian Metro.
Ali said he had a stroke a day after retiring from a newspaper publishing company in Shah Alam.
Ali, who has two children aged 24 and 27, said that although he is saddened by his situation, he feels better cared for since moving to the home.
"My children know I am here and they visit me. Whenever they come, they bring food. They have never mentioned taking me to live with them, but even if they did, I wouldn't want to because I'm already comfortable here.
"Alhamdulillah, since being here, I'm okay. I have many friends, and the staff here take care of my meals, drinks, medical needs, and so on. Given my stroke, they help me with my movements," he said.
A female resident who only wanted to be known as Aminah, 76, said she has been at the care centre for the past four months after being sent there by her daughter.
"I have only one daughter, and she is not married. Due to her busy work schedule and financial issues, she sent me here.
"I do miss home as the environment is not the same, but I understand that my daughter is busy with work. I don't want to be a burden," she said.