PENANG is taking steps to deal with its senior citizens as it gears up to become the first in the country to reach the milestone of an ageing state by next year.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia projected that by next year, 7.7% of Penang's population, or 143,805 residents, will be aged 65 and above, positioning Penang as the second state with the largest elderly population in Malaysia.
The percentage of the population aged 66 and above is around 7.7% whereby seven per cent is the benchmark for an ageing state.
Efforts to provide quality living for the aged got a shot in the arm in Penang when the international welfare organisation - Rose Charities Malaysia's chapter - revealed plans to open a senior activity centre near Pulau Tikus by the end of the year.
Its president Datuk Seri Lawrence Cheah Seong Paik said the centre would be officiated by the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and it will herald a new era in allowing senior citizens a platform to grow as gracefully as possible.
The centre is a collaboration between the charitable organisation, Pusat Aktiviti Warga Emas (PAWE) and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
"It will serve as a space for individuals above 60 to engage in activities such as exercise, gardening, digital literacy, arts and crafts.
"It will allow our seniors an opportunity to stay active, make new friends and enjoy lifelong learning in a supportive environment," the 88-year-old Cheah said.
Cheah said this at the 15th anniversary dinner of the charity, which has about 800 members of which 95% are women aged between 20 and 95.
Present was Ahmad Fuzi, who presented awards to several individuals for helping Rose Charities including Lord Mayor and MBPP president Datuk Anthony Rajendran, who allowed the council to lease a bungalow to them at Codrington Avenue here.
In a separate event, Rajendran said MBPP is now integrating universal design elements into social amenities to support the elderly and the disabled.
He emphasised MBPP’s commitment to ensuring accessibility across all infrastructure projects, saying, “We are committed to upgrading roads, walkways, public spaces, and public housing to incorporate age-friendly and universal design principles.”
Current efforts include installing ramps, lifts, and accessible units prioritised for the elderly and the disabled at the SP Chelliah public housing project.
“Future projects will involve a mobility van, senior citizens’ activity centres, urban farming, and recycling initiatives to create employment opportunities,” Rajendran said.
The council also plans to upgrade all public housing schemes to further embed universal design, enhancing independence and accessibility for Penang’s ageing population.
Penang earned its status as an age-friendly city after MBPP joined the Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities last year.
With a rapidly ageing society, these efforts are crucial for supporting the well-being of older residents and enhancing their quality of life, said Rajendran. - September 25, 2024.
