2nd Phase Of Homecare For Older People Project In Asean Countries
By Achong Tanjong

Bandar Seri Begawan - As part of Asean's continuing drive to partner with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the pilot project of the homecare for the older people in the Asean Countries has resulted in more than 400 volunteers trained to provide basic healthcare, hygiene, social and physical assistance to the elderly.

A press release from the Asean Secretariat stated that the Project Advisory Committees consisting of the national governments and the partner CSOs in each of the countries have played a great role in leading the project to success, resulting in the continuation of its second phase in July this year.

As the region faces a rapidly growing ageing population, the project aims to offer an alternative approach to care for the aged in Asean member countries without them having to leave their communities.

Under the assistance of the Republic of Korea and Asean Cooperation Fund, seven out of 10 Asean member countries - namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam - have adopted a volunteer-based homecare programme that is modelled on Help Age Korea.

Of these seven, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have secured additional funds from their governments to expand the pilot projects. Adopting a different approach, Brunei Darussalam and the Lao PDR have placed emphasis on training family members and extended relatives in improved methods to look after the aged.

Brunei has announced that it will review its government functions to incorporate some of the project's positive elements. In Singapore, which already has a "befriender service programme", the government agreed to develop a training manual for trainers on how to care for the elderly.

According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, by 2025, the percentage of persons in Asean member countries over the age of 60 will have doubled from 6.26 per cent in 2000 to 12.2 per cent.

In addition, as the population in Asean region increasingly moves to urban areas, the traditional family support system of caring for the aged is expected to weaken.

This is due to the growing number of nuclear families, prevailing population migration and the increased participation of women in the workforce across the region.

As noted by Mr Dim Vy, the project manager in Cambodia, "There is strong evidence that the homecare project for old people is relevant and appropriate intervention in improving the quality of life of old people.

"This community-based/home-based approach is sustainable, as it involves the people in the community."  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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