According to the United Nations (UN), population ageing is ‘the process by which older individuals become a proportionally larger share of the total population’. Malaysia is steadfastly moving in this direction and is expected to reach the status as an ageing nation by 2030. A nation becomes an ageing nation when 15% of its population is above 60 years old.
According to Universiti Malaya’s Social Wellbeing Research Centre, Malaysia is projected to reach 3.5 million of its citizens being aged 60 and above in 2020. The number is predicted to steadily increase to 6.3 million in 2040 (this accounts for 20% of the population).
Based on the above projections, the timespan for Malaysia’s transition into an ageing nation is too short compared to other developed nations. For instance, it took France 115 years, Sweden 85 years, Australia 73 years and the US 69 years for the proportion of their respective population aged 60 and above to increase from seven to 14 per cent.
Hence, adequate measures need to be taken to ensure the aged live a healthy and financially comfortable life.
Healthcare cost for the elderly
Taking into account Malaysia’s ageing population, the Health Ministry increased healthcare spending from a mere 4.4% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017 to a whopping 6-7% of GDP in 2019.
Lauded by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the move aimed to cater to the healthcare needs of Malaysians who are headed towards longer life expectancies. The government hoped to better equip the medical facilities to tackle non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure and high cholesterol to enable aged Malaysians to live longer, free of diseases and disabilities.
While the government’s increased healthcare spending might provide some relief for Malaysians, on the other hand, caregiving costs at private facilities come with a big price tag.
For those who suffer age-related conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions such as stroke, professional care is required around the clock.
Nursing home with stay-in services cost as high as RM4,000 per month in the Klang Valley and is sure to make a dent in anyone’s retirement fund or their family’s monthly budget.
It would be wiser to use preventive measures to keep your elderly parents healthy before things get worse.
How can you better manage the care of your elderly parents?
Apart from healthcare and financial issues, the elderly often face other issues such as depression, senility, isolation, and non-productivity.
With their children away from home to pursue their career and passion, aged parents often experience the empty nest problem. They are often left alone to face their health issues and are reluctant to inform their children.
Many abandon their well-being altogether leading to more critical health issues in the long run.
Dear millennials, here’s how you can ease your worries
Technology to the rescue
Millennials are no strangers to smartphones, social media platforms and apps. However, their aged parents may not be. This shouldn’t stop us from introducing them to apps and social media platforms that will help you and them monitor their health and lifestyle. These types of apps and platforms can help them keep their health in check, get in touch with their long-lost friends and interact with their grandkids wherever they are.
Some of the apps that may be useful for your parents are:
| Apps related to | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Scheduling medications | These apps remind users to take their medications on time. Some even remind them when it is time to refill their supply. For those who are required to take a handful of medications and supplements, these apps will make their day stress-free! |
| Dealing with poor eyesight | For those with deteriorating eyesight, there are apps that provides relief and gives easy access to information by zooming in and out on small print on restaurant menus, prescription bottles and books. |
| Tracking of vitals | Your parents can keep track of their blood pressure and weight using apps. These apps also often help to correlate blood pressure with the medications taken, body position and meal type, making it easy for users to keep track of their health daily. |
| Measuring physical and mental condition | Some apps can tell if the user is stressed. By just placing a finger over the camera for two minutes, the user will get a measurement of their physical and mental health on a scale of one to 100. |
| Games to keep the mind sharp | To keep the mind sharp, there are many apps that come with science-based brain training games. Users will be able to maintain their cognitive health through these games. |
| Health and wellness | Among the holistic health and wellness apps is Pulse by Prudential. As a holistic AI-powered app that covers health assessment, symptom checker, online consultation, fitness and even finding nearby hospitals and clinic, it can be the tech companion for your parents. |
Pulse by Prudential
Pulse is an AI-powered interactive app that is highly suited for the elderly. With an easy-to-navigate interface, Pulse will enable your parents to be independent when it comes to taking care of their health, especially if they are living alone most of the time.
All you need to do is download the app for them, create an account and get them going.
Some of the features of the app that will greatly benefit the elderly are:
Pulse will allow the elderly to practise a healthy lifestyle and be alert at all times when it comes to their health and wellness.
By introducing Pulse to your elderly parents, you will be reassured of their wellbeing and health even if you can’t be there for them in person.
Download Pulse for your parents now.
