Valuing older adults: Practical ways to make their lives easier

A well-known former MP recently requested my views on the needs and requirements of older adults.

After careful thought, I outlined several measures the government should implement.

Handrails should be mandatory at all public and private buildings, even with just three steps. Older adults often find climbing difficult and can lose their balance easily. All public places need handrails wherever steps are present.

Many places across the country lack benches for older adults to rest from walking. Dedicated benches should be placed with clear signage indicating they are meant for older adults. Benches positioned at reasonable distances are always appreciated. Bus stops must also offer comfortable seating for older adults.

Organised social activities could include short-day trips with mobility support and fun activities. Housekeeping and gardening activities could boost personal fitness. Exercise programmes could include tai chi, yoga, line dancing and nature walks.

Transport should be provided for older adults who need to go to public hospitals. Hospital personnel should be on hand at the entrances to guide older patients to their clinics. Return transport is equally important. Too often, older adults have to rely on others to assist them with hospital visits.

The loneliness of older adults, especially those living alone, must be addressed. Regular visits and phone calls can check on their welfare. Support mechanisms like ‘meals on wheels’ could provide food assistance when they are sick.

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport and other airports nationwide should offer exclusive check-in counters for older adults. At present, they often have to queue like other passengers. The immigration, road transport and registration departments already provide such priority services as an example to follow.

More establishments should offer discounts for older adults. These could include retail outlets, hotels and restaurants.

One suggestion is to install barriers at intervals along pavements to prevent dangerous motorcyclists from using these pedestrian walkways. This would enhance safety for older adults.

Supermarkets could introduce separate payment lanes for older adults, similar to practices in Canada. Free public transport on all urban and intercity rail route should be considered for older adults.

The government should encourage national airlines like Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia and Batik Air to provide reasonable discounts on domestic and Asean flights. A certain number of seats could be reserved for older adults when travelling to China and the Indian subcontinent.

These requests are reasonable and would not significantly burden the government or airlines if they genuinely want to appreciate the contributions of older adults.

Such actions would demonstrate gratitude to older adults, many of whom have served the country with loyalty and distinction.

The younger generation must understand that they too will become older adults one day. They should consider how they would like to be treated in their later years.

Ultimately, these efforts would revive the long-forgotten slogan of a “caring society”.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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