The elderly no longer idle away
Published on: Friday, October 28, 2016
Sandakan: Senior citizens are an integral part of the community for their priceless contributions to the society at all levels and their sacrifices must continue to be acknowledged and appreciated.Elopura Community Leader (PPM) Chan Tzun Hei said he believed that with the commitment of all parties, they will be able to create a caring society and apply good values among all levels of the society."Health office, clinics and the Clinic Advisory Panel in the district will always be ready to support any programmes and welfare activities designed to help senior citizens," he said during the Senior Citizens Day Celebration 2016, organised by the Sandakan Health Clinic and Clinic Advisory Panel in Sandakan Sports Complex on Tuesday.
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In the meantime, Chan said the Health Clinic in collaboration with the Clinical Advisory Panel intended to help senior citizens to be healthier, positive, active and productive members of the community even after they have retired.He said elderly people should not be seen as a burden to the society because some of them are still active in various voluntary organisations.Generally after retiring, senior citizens tend to fall into the poor and low-income category."However, the scenario is different today because they no longer sit idly at home and spend the rest of their life doing nothing, but continue to contribute ideas," he said.
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"As a first step to ensure that senior citizens continue to be active is to promote active aging. Active aging refers to the process of optimising opportunities and involvement of senior citizens in family institutions and community to enable these people to improve their well-being," he added.
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A country is classified as an aging country when 15 per cent of its population is made up of senior citizens and Malaysia is fast approaching that level.Chan said the aging process requires the concern and sensitivity of all parties because the elderly have special needs which affect the family institution and community.In this context, as a caring health office and clinic, it also has implemented various measures and programmes to help seniors enjoy a better and comfortable life."For example, the programme today with its theme 'Take a Stand Against Ageism' which means 'Together Against Violence on Senior Citizens' which was the theme of the celebration of Senior Citizens Day 2016 World Health Organisation (WHO), it is also consistent with our activities today namely hydrotherapy (exercise in water) with seniors," he added.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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