Everyone's Responsibility Caring For The Elderly
By CT Hj Mahmod

Bandar Seri Begawan - Health practitioners across the nation have expressed their concern over the growth rate of elderly people.

For the first time in history, the rate of elderly people will outnumber worldwide child rate.

It is estimated that in the next two generations to come, the number of elderly people above the ages of 60 will increase four-fold by 2050.

These were highlighted by Dr Haji Afendy bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, the Director-General of Medical Services, during a mental health forum, entitled `Mental health among the elderly: Whose responsibility is it?', which was held at the Orchid Garden Hotel yesterday.

He was delivering a speech on behalf of Awg Serbini bin Ali, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.

During the forum, health practitioners also discussed ways on how to give the elder generation the support and medical infrastructures to fulfill their health needs.

Dr Haji Afendy hoped that the forum as well as the sideline activities organised by the Health Ministry would boost awareness amongst al I relevant agencies.

He believes that it is everyone's responsibility to tackle issues faced by the elderly.

Touching on the high ailment rate (mental or physical) among the elderly, he said that the two primary mental diseases suffered by the elderly were depression and dementia.

Among the elderly of 65 years of age, only five per cent of them experience dementia.

However, for those who are over 80, years old, the chances of dementia increases by 40 per cent.

Facing such a predicament, he urged the need for governmental agencies to set up necessary services and infrastructure in order to fulfill the elderly needs, including medical and health treatment.

The Director-General of Medical Services proposed strategies to tackle this such as educating family members, caretakers and doctors how to identify early symptoms of the disease; and supporting the children's and family's role in caring for the elderly so that the idea of sending them to nursing homes can be prevented.

However, the most appropriate model in taking care of the elderly, especially those who are suffering from mental breakdowns, Dr Haji Afendy believes, starts from home.

He also encouraged the support and participation of volunteering non-governmental organisation in fulfilling the health needs of the elderly.

Among those present during the health forum were Dr Hjh Norlila binti Dato Paduka Hj Abd Jalil, the Chairperson of the Organising Committee, senior government officials, members of the panel as well as participants. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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