M'sia Should Prioritise Investment In Healthcare, Social Support For Ageing Population - Ipsos

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must prioritise investment in healthcare systems and social support to help the rakyat age healthily and meaningfully, says market research firm Ipsos Sdn Bhd

According to its survey titled Attitudes Towards Ageing 2025, Malaysians expect to live an average of 15 years in their senior years.

The survey also found that Malaysians now define old age as starting at 60, compared with seven years ago when it was considered to begin at 56.

It stated that people in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia had also expressed a more positive outlook towards ageing, whereas in developed nations, longer lifespans and higher thresholds for old age did not necessarily correspond to positive sentiment.

“This outlook among Malaysians may be influenced by cultural values that respect the elderly, as well as support from family and the community, which helps ease concerns about the ageing process,” Ipsos noted.

“Nevertheless, significant challenges remain, as Malaysia is projected to become an ageing nation by 2043.

“Therefore, Malaysia must give priority to investment in healthcare systems and social support to ensure that this positive perspective on ageing is backed by systems that enable people to grow old healthily, with dignity and meaning,” Ipsos said in a statement today.

The survey, which involved about 23,745 adults under the age of 75 in 32 countries, found that people generally consider old age to begin at 66. However, the definition varies across Southeast Asia and beyond: France (72), Thailand (68), Great Britain (67), Japan (65), the Philippines (60) and Indonesia (59).

Ipsos Managing Director Arun Menon said that while global perceptions of ageing have remained largely unchanged since 2018 despite an ageing population, Malaysians have experienced a notable shift.

“In the past seven years, the perceived start of ‘old age’ in Malaysia has moved up by four years, from 56 to 60,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan, announced that the government would implement the National Ageing Blueprint (NAB) 2025–2045 as a strategic guide to ensure no group, including the elderly, was left behind in development.\

The NAB initiatives include developing a more efficient, accessible and affordable Long-Term Care (LTC) system, enacting specific laws to coordinate elderly care regulations, and providing social protection incentives and benefits for caregivers.

-- BERNAMA