Elder abuse a ticking time bomb

Fraught final chapter: The country could soon face an ageing population crisis, warns Kuan.

Rise in mistreatment of seniors needs immediate solutions, say experts

PETALING JAYA: While respect and care for the elderly are fundamental in Asian traditions, disturbing cases of elder abuse challenge this notion.

Two years ago, in Sungai Besi, a man in his 60s was found near death after being abandoned at a cemetery by a family member. Starved and dehydrated, he survived for days by consuming his own waste before dying in hospital.

In Kepong, several years earlier, an octogenarian was forced to live in her yard after her son, angered by her asset distribution among siblings, drove her out. A kind stranger eventually took her to a shelter.

Last year in Kedah, a couple in their 60s, who had supported their son, his wife and a newborn, were kicked out from their own home. The son, allegedly influenced by his wife, sent them to Kuala Lumpur on a bus, leaving them destitute and forcing them to survive on the streets.

These stories highlight a growing and distressing trend of neglect and abuse against the elderly, who deserve care and respect.

Social activist and philanthropist Kuan Chee Heng, who operates a free ambulance service in the Klang Valley and is deeply committed to helping the elderly, has witnessed countless cases of seniors being stripped of their savings and heartlessly abandoned by their families or caregivers.

Having assisted hundreds of abandoned elderly individuals over the past decade, the charity worker warns that without swift and effective action by the government, the country could soon face an ageing population crisis.

“I am sickened by these cases, and it makes me really sad to see these abuses occurring regularly. It is time for us to protect the aged with a law that compels their families to care for them and penalises those who neglect them,” Kuan said, adding that the country direly needs to pass the Senior Citizens Bill.

In 2023, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the Senior Citizens Bill, aimed at safeguarding the rights and well-being of the elderly, has been drafted. The Bill is expected to include provisions for legal action and penalties against adult children who neglect their responsibilities toward their parents.

Additionally, the Bill seeks to protect the rights and well-being of senior citizens and empower the elderly community.

According to Kuan, the nation is facing situations where both parents and their children are in their golden years.

“Living past 70, they have exhausted their savings and have children who have a family of their own to care for and are struggling themselves to make ends meet,” he said.

Kuan suggested the government work closely with corporations and religious and charitable organisations to develop shelters for old folks at existing venues that are underutilised.

“Many temples have large compounds, and this can be used to house them. Government-run vocational training should also include courses that specialise in the management of the elderly, and these graduates can be tasked to take charge of these centres,” he said.

Experts studying the challenges of the ageing population emphasise the need for legal, social and ethical solutions.

“Strengthening the rights of the aged, providing financial protections combined with social support and awareness is key to addressing this growing crisis,” said psychologist and counsellor Assoc Prof Dr Fauziah Mohd Saad of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

She said diminished mental capacity due to conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease impairs an individual’s decision-making abilities, rendering them easy targets and highly susceptible to abuse by close family members or caregivers.

“Seniors who live alone or are dependent on a limited number of individuals for support may be subjected to abuse, as such isolation makes it easier for exploiters to manipulate them without interference.

“Financial abuse can also occur as a result of strained relationships, greed or a ‘sense of entitlement’. Children or relatives may take advantage and plunder an elder’s savings and assets, sometimes justifying it as inheritance in advance,” she said, as elderly individuals could place unconditional trust in family members or caregivers.

Fauziah advised that seniors, with the assistance of trusted family members, should take proactive steps to protect their savings and assets, especially when experiencing cognitive decline.

She said setting up a trust or will with clear legal guidelines can prevent unauthorised transfer of assets.

“Assigning the power of attorney to a trustworthy person ensures financial decisions are made in their best interest. Instead of relying on a single family member, there should be several other individuals they trust or can rely on to assist and guide them, making sure they do not make decisions under duress. Instilling awareness on scams and manipulation will also help them safeguard their assets,” Fauziah said.

She emphasised the need for elderly individuals to have an easy way to report abuse without fearing repercussions or retaliation, adding that authorities should actively promote helplines and provide dedicated legal aid.

She said a more effective approach could involve establishing a government-monitored support fund for neglected seniors and implementing laws that impose penalties for elder neglect, including financial restitution.

“In some countries, those who abandon their elderly parents have their names published. Although it is controversial, it can serve as a deterrent. Social pensions and public housing for abandoned old folks should also be considered,” Fauziah said.

Prof Dr Intan Hashimah Mohd Hashim of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) said developing positive relationships within a family could also instil compassion and empathy among younger members.

“Elderly abuse is less likely to occur in a family where its members are kind and considerate with each other. Caregivers should also receive emotional support because they may suffer stress and burnout, which are two factors that often lead to abuse of senior folks,” the psychologist said. - By CHARLES RAMENDRAN, THE STAR

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We are never too old to work, old is gold

Old Is Gold

NASIR Ahmad’s father, Ahmad Ismail or better known by his pseudonym Ahmady Asmara, was a legendary journalist and a sasterawan (man of letters). He used to work for publications like Saudara, Warta Ahad, Majlis and Utusan Zaman back in the 50s and 60s. Among his protege was the late Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin (Zam).

Like his father, Nasir joined the press. In 1973, he started as a repor­­ter with the Utusan Melayu group. Eighteen years later, he joined Berita Harian.

Upon reaching 55, Nasir worked on a contract basis from 2011 to 2017. He has no major financial commitments and all except one of his four children are married.

In December 2017, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. It was devastating news to him and his family. He survived but his life was never the same again.

His close shave with death taught him many valuable lessons. For one, he can’t remain idle. He gets restless not doing anything.

He joined Grab service last August. It was more like an experiment for him initially. He was hooked. He has been driving ever since. In fact, he is one of Grab’s prized drivers, attaining 5-star ratings many times over. He starts around 10 in the morning and finishes around 9 at night, stopping only for prayers and lunch or quick bites.

Nasir is not alone. On May 2, this newspaper highlighted a growing number of Malaysians working well after 60.

For those who have their pension, they can afford to sit back and enjoy what’s left of their life. But things are not easy for others. They have mouths to feed. In most cases, adult children have their own commitments and parents seldom want to bother them over financial matters.

However, it is not easy to join the job market at that age even with experience and the necessary expertise. Nasir was a journalist; driving for Grab was a totally new experience.

As highlighted by this newspaper, based on a report published by the Institute of Labour Market Information and Analysis (Ilma), the supply of workers of Nasir’s age and above currently outstrips the demand for them.

According to the report, by 2030, the number of aged workers in Malaysia would be about 1.2 million but the demand for such workers would be just slightly a third of that.

If you are at Changi Airport, Singapore, most likely the first people you meet after the immigration officers are the ushers to guide you to the taxis. At most food courts, the elderly are employed to clear the trays or clean the floors.

There are certain jobs young people are not interested in. We see less of them here because the foreigners are doing the job for us.

Singapore, understandably, is giving a lot of attention to senior citizens. The republic is seriously looking into what it “needs to do differently in the coming years” as its population ages. In fact, it is considered one of the most urgent challenges for the government today.

The world population is ageing. According to the latest United Nations’ data, the number of those above 60 years globally is expected to more than double by 2050 and triple by 2100.

In 2017, there were 962 million of them, there will be 2.1 billion in 2050 and 3.1 billion in 2100. Shockingly too, according to the data, people aged 60 or above is growing faster than all younger age groups!

This is not just a problem in advanced countries. Most countries in the world have substantial numbers of ageing population. With better healthcare, humans are living longer.

There are loads of other issues pertaining to people of 60 and above. Moreover, living in the 21st century has its challenges.

There are issues about acceptability and competition with the younger generation, and certainly the need for respectability and dignity. But more importantly is coping with the demands at workplaces.

It is the question of how governments are coping with an ageing population.

One way is to make people work longer. We have done that, raising the retirement age to 60. Should we raise that to 65?

It is not a popular policy especially when younger people believe they will be deprived of the chance to climb up the ladder in public service or in the private sector.

The Global Age Watch Index Report shows high-income countries fare better in managing their ageing population. The enabling environment too for ageing people is much better in richer countries.

Like it or not, people of Nasir’s age are transforming society of today and the future. Just like the UN report on ageing says, ageing population is poised to become one of the most dramatic and significant transformations of the 21st century.

Never take Nasir and people his age for granted!

Johan Jaaffar was a journalist, editor and for some years, chairman of a media company, and is passionate about all things literature and the arts. The views expressed here are entirely his own.

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Old and ageing abused by their own Children

PETALING JAYA: When his son left him at a bus station, John (not his real name) waited patiently for him to return. Five hours later, he was still waiting. Passers-by noticed him and called the police.

The 72-year-old man has dementia and was sent to hospital. Medical social workers managed to get him to recall his son’s telephone number.

When they called John’s son, he did not want to take his father home.

People like John are vulnerable to abuse and neglect, and he is not eligible for government shelter for the elderly because he still has a family.

John is among many Malaysian elderly folk who are facing abuse and neglect. According to a study, one in 10 urban elderly Malaysian is abused, with financial abuse being the most common.

The survey by a team of researchers from the Department of Social and Preventative Medicine under Universiti Malaya’s Medical Faculty said psychological abuse was the next most common followed by physical abuse.

“A pilot survey was done among the urban poor in Kuala Lumpur in 2012 involving 291 individuals above the age of 60. There were elders living in low-cost government-subsidised flats. Of the total, 9.6% said they experienced one or more forms of abuse within the last 12 months of the survey,” said Dr Noran Naqiah Hairi.

By S. Indramalar The Star/Asia News Network

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Dr Noran is leading the Prevent Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative (Peace) with her colleague Dr Clare Choo.

The team also found that one in 20 rural elders have experienced abuse based on a survey they did among 2,000 respondents in Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan.

The most common abuse reported among rural elders is psychological followed by financial.

Anita (not her real name) is a subject of financial abuse. As she has arthritis, she found it difficult to go to the bank. Her son persuaded the 68-year-old retired clerk to give him the authority to handle her finances.

Soon after, he got his widowed mother to sign over her house to him.

“I didn’t want to, but I was bullied into signing my house over. He kept accusing me of not trusting him.

“At first, everything was all right. But then he began investing my money in all kinds of ventures. I have no say in what he does with my money. When I ask him, it gets unpleasant.

“But I am worried what will happen when my money runs out,” laments Anita, who lives with her son in Petaling Jaya.

Still, she would never report her son because elder abuse is not a topic Malaysians discuss openly.

Deputy Women, Family and Com­munity Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun admits that reported figures do not paint the actual picture.

“These are only the cases that come to us. There may be more that we do not know of,” she said.

Most of elder abuse cases go unreported as many see it as a “family problem” which can be dealt with behind closed doors.

Only 23 cases of elder abuse and neglect were reported in the past three years, according to statistics from the ministry.

The study, however, shows it is far more prevalent.

“The Peace study is the first of its kind in Malaysia and it corroborates prevalence rates of elder abuse and neglect in other Asian countries which range from 14% to 27.5%,” added Dr Noran.

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