THE Women, Family and Community Development Ministry's aim to create more Senior Citizens Activity Centres (PAWE) nationwide must focus on these vital objectives: ensure the seniors are of sound mind, health, productive and financially stable.
The commitment to reducing their dependence on charitable organisations is self-evident in the ministry's well-meaning charter. Once the "elderly" is defined in terms of age, background, experience and competence, now comes the formidable task.
After passing age 60, these warga emas get perks and priority service as part of the nation's gratitude. No queuing in long lines (bypassing the Covid-19 vaccination queue is one example), medical subsidies and taxation exemptions and discounts on goods, services and public transportation are all but a smidgen of the perks.
But examine the reality: many senior citizens are still sprightly and active after retirement, with a bulk opting to return to work out of the need to maintain their wellbeing. At this point, poor health may take its toll: straddled with medical concerns, a full medicine cabinet, more doctor's appointments and then, out of the blue, an urgent surgery.
It can take a big bite out of their finances despite the availability of medical subsidies. Most senior citizens are still married, though some may be divorced, but many have married firstborns and blessed with grandchildren, so that's something to occupy their time, being doting but inadvertent babysitters.
The middle class commanding decades of experience and technical competence typically have no issue re-entering the employment pool. For them, the need to sustain their cognitive skills is vital to keep at bay the dreaded disease of ageing: dementia.
But for the B40, this second lease on life is tough: EPF savings, if there are any left, dwindle fast, while job opportunities are preciously lean, so the practical solution is to enter into small business.
But what happens after the folks cross 70 or 80 when their physique is not what it used to be? What are their options? Unless their finances are adequate, there is little to depend on.
With Malaysians above age 60 rising to more than 3.3 million, PAWE's primary mission is to nurture seniors' health, cognitive functions, finances and productivity as they journey through this rough terrain. But above all, senior citizens must be imparted with a time-honoured philosophy: a healthy diet, physical exercise for muscles, bones and joints, a good nap at sound hours and avoiding unnecessary stress.
The benefits are tremendous: preventing spikes in diabetes and hypertension, the two most common and deadly diseases, and balanced mental health, enhancing productivity which can open up livelihood opportunities. Our warga emas may be out to pasture, but don't discriminate against them with ageism.
Make using their wisdom, knowledge, know-how and tradecraft a part of government policy. They need to remain a part of society and not left to degenerate in their twilight years, which will only burden their children and ultimately the nation.