IPOH - A total of 170 people have participated in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) course for the care of the elderly held in stages in Perak since September under the state government’s ‘Santunan Kasih’ programme.
State Women, Family, Social Welfare, Cooperatives and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Salbiah Mohamed said the participants were given TVET training to care for the elderly under the Pusat Aspirasi Anak Perak (PASAK), with the State Women and Community Development Secretariat and Social Welfare Department as coordinating agencies.
She said attention is given to aspects of healthcare, psychological management, basic needs, integration and security of the elderly so that they can enjoy a more comfortable and secure life under the programme.
"The care training for these senior citizens can also indirectly empower participants to upgrade their lives through the skills they acquire," she told reporters after officiating the ‘Perak Santunan Kasih’ programme at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak here today.
Meanwhile, Salbiah said the Santunan Kasih programme also prepares a systematic ecosystem to care for the elderly, including providing a platform that covers a database of certified and trained caregivers, career and entrepreneurship encouragement and matching caregivers.
She said the programme also provides a support system for caregivers and related agencies as well as the delivery of information and state government's mission to advance the field of (health) care.
"The programme will also be a source of data for policy formulation in the long term," she added.
Meanwhile, participant T. Manimala, 49, from Chemor, near here, said the Tvet training for care of the elderly has given her much knowledge regarding ways to provide the right care for the senior citizen group.
"The training shows us how to speak, in addition to learning how to administer medication in the right way and not to disturb them (the elderly)," said Manimala, who likes taking care of the elderly.
Meanwhile, Nur Athirah Azmi, 24, from Teluk Intan, encouraged the younger generation to participate in TVET training for care of the elderly as this is also an opportunity to generate income. - BERNAMA