Home Care Policy To Handle Increasing Elderly Population
By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - A government policy on providing home care to the elderly is being drafted as the population of senior citizens is expected to increase to 35,000 by 2021.

This was revealed yesterday by Dyg Hjh Siti Aynah bte Yakob of the Community Development Department (JAPEM), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports during the ROK-Asean Meeting on Home Care for Older Persons at the Rizqun International Hotel.

The country currently has 18,063 people, who are 60 years of age and above, she disclosed while speaking on the volunteer project "Family service in caring for the aged".

The project's phase one was launched on June 22, 2005 by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports with the aim of enhancing the obligation of children and next-of-kin to care for their aged parents or family members as well as to sustain the life of the aged by providing them with physical, emotional and social support as well as assistance.

The limitations of this project, however, are time constraints where volunteers have other commitments, limited number of skilled volunteers, distance of the locations between the "clients" (the elderly who are receiving assistance) and the volunteers, and the family members who are reluctant to receive help.

However, she noted the positive impacts of the project. For volunteers, the project has enhanced their values in caring for the elderly and developed their knowledge and skills through courses and experiences. While the clients see the improvements in the quality of their lives, spiritual development and empowerment, and lessening of their family's burden. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Related News: Social Stigma Main Hurdle In In Elderly Home Care Project

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