WE grow up hearing the same advice again and again: save money, invest wisely and plan for retirement. These are good tips but they don’t paint the full picture.
They all assume that when we get old, the right places and systems will already be there to support us. The truth is, in Malaysia, that kind of care infrastructure isn’t ready yet, at least not at the scale or quality we’ll need.
Look at the numbers: in 2024, 11.6% of Malaysians were aged 60 and above. By 2040, it’s expected to pass 17%.
Twelve states are already considered ageing. By 2030, millions more Malaysians will be elderly and many will be living with long-term health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Some will also face dementia or struggle to move around easily. These are not just statistics; they are our parents today and they will be us in a few decades.
Three big gaps make this a real concern: not enough trained caregivers and proper facilities, huge differences between urban and rural areas, and the cost barrier that locks out many middle-income families.
For example, nursing home fees in Malaysia can range from around RM1,500 a month to more than RM12,000, depending on the location and quality. That shows good care is possible but it is often too expensive. Many families are stuck in the middle, not poor enough for subsidies and not rich enough for private care.
This is more than a social issue; it’s an economic one too. When we don’t have a strong elder-care system, the hidden costs pile up.
Adult children, often the main earners, may have to cut their working hours or quit their jobs to care for their parents. Productivity drops, companies lose skilled workers and healthcare costs rise when untreated conditions get worse.
A proper elder-care sector would do the opposite. It would create jobs for caregivers, nurses, therapists and administrators, and open up new markets for products and services aimed at seniors.
Right now, Malaysia relies heavily on foreign caregivers. But countries like Singapore and Hong Kong pay better, so they attract more workers. Unless we train more locals and improve the pay and working conditions, we will keep facing shortages.
Our health system also lacks geriatric specialists, and most of them are in big cities. Smaller towns and rural areas, even Felda settlements with many elderly residents, are often left behind.
There are other risks, too. Seniors who live alone can easily become victims of scams or abuse. Climate change makes things worse. Heatwaves and floods can be deadly for elderly people who can’t move quickly or cool down easily. Without safe and climate-resilient community spaces, many of them are left in unsafe homes.
Culturally, we often say children should take care of their parents. That value is beautiful and important but times have changed. Families are smaller, more women are working and many young people move away for studies or jobs. Depending only on family care isn’t realistic anymore. It is not about abandoning our values; it’s about updating how we practise them.
This does not mean we should just copy what other countries do. Malaysia needs its own model. Imagine villages where elders still teach skills, cook together, help children with homework and contribute to their community. They shouldn’t just be cared for but should also stay active and valued.
The government has made some initiatives, like digital literacy classes for seniors, community transport and the upcoming Elderly Persons Bill. There is also a National Senior Citizens Action Plan and talk of a dedicated ministry. These are good starts but without enough buildings, trained people and proper funding, the impact will be limited.
To my fellow Malaysians who are saving for retirement: saving money alone isn’t enough. Without a proper care infrastructure, that money may not be enough to protect us later.
To investors and policymakers: this is a predictable trend. The demand is guaranteed. Building the elder-care ecosystem isn’t charity; it’s an investment that supports families, protects dignity and creates long-term jobs.
For me, this issue feels personal. When I visit my grandparents, I see not just their health problems but also their loneliness. Sometimes when I picture an empty chair at the kitchen table, I’m afraid about what will happen when they are gone. If we don’t want an empty chair at home, we should not accept a lacking system.
Malaysia has built roads, ports and skyscrapers. Those things shaped our future. It is time to build something just as important – the infrastructure of care. Not because we pity the elderly but because we want an inclusive society that takes care of all its members, including our future selves.
Timothy Tan Jee Vin is a final-year undergraduate student in physics at the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya.
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