The recent report of an elderly person being mistreated at a home in Seremban is shocking. Such incidents must be taken seriously.
The owner of the home has admitted that the staff have no professional training. This is the problem faced by most care homes.
The staff members may comprise volunteers, dropouts, students on semester breaks and pensioners working part time.
With no professional training, abuses will occur and recur. Many owners also do not send their staff for training in geriatric care.
The job is demanding as it involves dealing with senior citizens from different backgrounds and most have health problems. Public expectations are high.
AgeCope (Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia) is willing to work with ministries and private entities to ensure that professional training is provided to the staff of such homes.
AgeCope’s mission is to promote a positive transformation of the age-care industry by advancing public awareness of the needs of the elderly, and enhancing standards through education and training.
We laud the government for introducing the new Private Aged Care Facilities and Services Bill 2017 to regulate the care-giving industry.
However, this is only the beginning of a long and daunting journey ahead. It can only be accomplished collectively — us coming together to serve our elderly with compassion and care as we become an ageing nation soon.
We can no longer pretend that it does not concern us. Let’s take on this challenge and make it work.
Delren Terrence Douglas
President, AGECOPE, Kuala Lumpur