Malaysia projected to see 600,000 dementia patients by 2057

The urgent need for Malaysia to introduce a comprehensive Elderly Care Act was highlighted to better protect its aging population from financial and physical abuse.

With an increasing number of seniors facing potential exploitation and neglect, KPJ Sentosa KL Specialist Hospital, Consultant Physician Geriatrician, and Associate Professor Dr. Yau Weng Keong stressed the implementation of such legislation is crucial to ensure their safety and well-being.

He highlighted that while nations such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore have established legislation to protect their elderly, Malaysia currently lacks such a dedicated framework.

“With Malaysia's rapid aging demographic, projected to see over 600,000 dementia patients by 2030, we must establish a robust Elderly Care Act.

“This law is crucial to prevent both financial exploitation and physical neglect of our senior citizens.

"Dementia patients in long-term care settings are particularly vulnerable. The lack of proper reporting and oversight means that many cases of abuse go unnoticed,” he said when contacted recently.

Dr. Yau also highlighted the importance of integrating the Mental Capacity Act into the proposed Elderly Care Act, providing extra protection for those who are unable to make informed decisions due to dementia. He remarked that while the Child Act offers a detailed framework for protecting children, the proposed Elderly Care Act should adopt a similarly comprehensive approach to ensure the safety and well-being of our elderly.

He also discussed the challenges faced in advancing the National Dementia Policy, which he began advocating for in 2019. Despite initial progress, the policy has encountered delays, particularly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He stressed that the responsibility for this policy should rest with the Ministry of Health to ensure that it receives the necessary focus and resources.

Additionally, Dr. Yau pointed out that studies on long-term care in Malaysia have revealed a high incidence of dementia among residents in nursing homes. He noted that these facilities often suffer from inadequate staff and resources, contributing to a high rate of abuse and neglect.

"The National Dementia Policy should be under the purview of the Ministry of Health rather than other departments. This is essential for effective action and coordination."

"We must urgently implement a comprehensive Elderly Care Act and a National Dementia Policy to address these critical issues.

“Without these measures, Malaysia risks failing to protect its elderly population as the number of dementia cases continues to rise,” he added.

In 2020, the World Bank projected that Malaysia would become a 'super-aged nation' by 2056, with over 20 per cent of the population aged 65 or older. The government is preparing the Ageing National Agenda to address the socioeconomic impacts of an aging population, focusing on health, education, finance, productivity, and technology.

Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri highlighted that various ministries support this agenda, which aims for sustainable growth as Malaysia approaches an aged nation by 2030 and a super-aged nation by 2044. The National Advisory and Consultative Council for Older Persons (NACCOP) will oversee the implementation of these policies.

Additionally, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Legislation and Institutional Reform) announced plans to introduce a Mental Capacity Bill this year, modelled after laws in the UK, Singapore, and India. This bill aims to empower individuals with mental incapacity by allowing for legal decisions to be made on their behalf through a lasting power of attorney.

Dr. Yau Weng Keong is a leading Consultant Physician Geriatrician at KPJ Sentosa KL Specialist Hospital, dedicated to elderly care. Previously, he was Head of Geriatric Services at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), where he expanded services nationwide, except in Terengganu and Perlis.

His qualifications include an MD from USM, MRCP(UK), CMIA(Msia), and FRCP(Lond). His past roles also include leading Geriatric Services at the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, heading HKL's Medical Department, and lecturing at Taylors University's School of Medicine.