This fact is indisputable: none can stop the march of Father Time. We all traverse the seasons of life equally and, at the appointed hour, reach the gate of our golden years.
Caring for senior citizens in Malaysia has gained greater significance in recent times, with the United Nations Development Programme predicting that the country will become an ageing society by 2040. Closer to home, the Department of Statistics Malaysia revealed earlier this year that Perak has the highest national percentage of residents aged 60 and above, at nearly 15 per cent.
Updating the healthcare infrastructure is, of course, paramount in taking care of the elderly, but there is also an urgent need to heighten public awareness about the best practices involved in providing care. This is especially important because they align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”
Given Quest International University’s (QIU) long-standing commitment to the SDGs, our Faculty of Medicine (FoM) and the University’s SDG Steering Committee recently joined forces with Jabatan Pembangunan Wanita (JPW) to host a timely workshop on elderly care, titled Bengkel Penjagaan Warga Emas, with the theme ‘Strength, Support, and Strategies: Building Resilience in Elderly Caregiving.’
Held on campus, this workshop focused on three objectives: sharing strategies to prevent physical injuries among the elderly; discussing the importance of creating and maintaining strong support networks, including family, friends, and professional resources; and communicating the best techniques to promote their emotional well-being and help them maintain a positive outlook on life despite the challenges.
The event blended expert talks with activity sessions designed to reinforce learning among participants. First, Associate Professor Dr Johari bin Mohamed spoke on the topic Mencegah Kejatuhan Warga Emas: Strategi dan Amalan Penjagaan yang Berkesan, followed by Dr Nurul Hazliana’s tutorial on simple exercises for the elderly to build muscle strength, especially in the lower limbs, and to improve their balance.
Later, Professor Dr Eddie Soon talked at length about Penjagaan Emosi Warga Emas, which was followed by a game called Telefon Karat, where participants had to ensure a message was passed on accurately and with minimal distortion so it would be properly understood by recipients.
Many congratulations to our academics and staff for successfully hosting yet another event aimed at advancing the SDGs! Your efforts are a true reflection of the University’s ethos of unswerving public service and the spirit of raising oneself to help humankind.
