Life with dignity core focus of pilot programme for Batu Lintang elderly folks

KUCHING (March 3): A pilot programme has been initiated to ensure that the elderly constituents of Batu Lintang would continue to lead quality lives with dignity.

In line with building an aged-friendly society, the initiative sets out to ensure that the senior citizens of Batu Lintang, particularly those from Poh Kwong Park and Green Road, would have access to adequate care and support through community spirit.

This programme is led by the assemblyman See Chee How.

“I have observed that many of the elderly constituents have been residing in Batu Lintang for so many years,” he said in a recent See Hua Daily News report.

According to him, the elderly people do not actually need constant care and nursing.

“For them, adequate love and support should suffice.

“Many of them are still capable of leading quite an independent life although they need someone to deliver meals, take them to the hospital for follow-ups, remind them of their daily medication and help them procure daily necessities.

“In this regard, the volunteers may be able to offer the services and assistance that the elderly folks require, while the government can consider providing allowances for these volunteers.”

See opined that Sarawak could emulate Japan and Singapore, where local communities provided mutual support for the better welfare of the senior citizens.

“The UK has been placing emphasis on the welfare of the aged by providing nursing home options for the elderly people.”

In this regard, the assemblyman said his side had already initiated the relevant works to explore the feasibility of offering mutual support among the local communities.

“We come across an 80-year-old retired civil servant whose child is unable to provide constant care due to hectic work and frequent working trips.

“The retiree is facing mobility issues after sustaining a stroke, and needs to go to the hospital for follow-up treatments regularly.

“The retiree rarely goes out to mingle with others; hence, he does not have many friends.

“In this respect, his child makes sure that meals are delivered to him every day even even when he (the child) works outstation.”

In this aspect, See said his pilot programme meant to provide adequate support for the senior members in the community, based on their respective needs.

Nevertheless, he said government policies for the senior citizens would need to be reviewed, especially those formulated by the federal government and still in use after decades.

“Social welfare falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, but in Sarawak, the state government has played its part with many policies reviewed and improved.”

In this regard, See was delighted to see that Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had been adamant about utilising Sarawak’s revenue to enhance the life of Sarawakians.

“Focus has been given on schools and the elderly folks, so we can come up with better approaches for these groups.”

Back on his pilot project, See said it would be reviewed accordingly to make sure that it would be feasible and beneficial.

“Just like the student bus programme launched earlier, we need to try it out first to see if it really works,” said the assemblyman.