-NiE ,
ADVANCED
THE STAR recently highlighted the plight of some 50 senior citizens who had been abandoned by their kin at hospitals and are now residing at an old folks home in Kampung Pulau Meranti, Puchong, Selangor. Many of them live with medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, dementia and
NiE Activity Critical thinking ● Measure ● Organise
11
Staying connected
Caring
● Identify ● Reason
26 JULY 2017
Problem solving
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Brainstorm
● Connect ● Invent
● Question ● Recreate ● Research ● Present
Communicating ● Oral ● Written
Collaborating ● Listen
● Aural
Alzheimer’s. They have children and relatives, but they rarely, if ever, visit these old folks. These cases are indicative of a very real and growing problem of elder neglect and abandonment which needs the urgent attention of the authorities.
● Contribute respectfully
Empowering our elders
Malaysia needs laws to empower, protect and safeguard the rights of the elderly to prepare for its rapidly ageing population.
Researchers from Universiti Malaya’s Peace initiative are pushing for a specific law for the elderly to protect their rights and guarantee them services in their golden years. Malaysia has no law making it illegal to abandon or neglect the elderly. The assumption has been that the elderly will be well-cared for by their family in their golden years because filial piety is a value we hold dear. Family caregivers – dubbed the sandwich generation as they have to look after the elderly as well as their children – are often overwhelmed as they also need to earn a living. The strain manifests in many ways, resulting even in abuse. The increasing cases of elder mistreatment and neglect are a clear indication that the country needs to change its policies and laws to address current realities. This need is especially dire given that Malaysia will have an ageing population in just 13 years. The Star, June 2, 2017
Many of us live in extended families. Have you faced some of the challenges highlighted in the article? Let us share our stories and discover different ways others have dealt with challenges in their families. Gather in groups of four for this activity. This is a shared activity so you will only need one person to jot down notes as another person speaks (you can take turns doing this). Jot down the notes on the template on the right.
Student
Situation
Support
Family member
Impact
1 2 3 4
You can talk about any types of situations, from health and school issues, to difficult decisions and unemployment dilemmas. As you speak, another member of your group will jot down notes in the appropriate columns. Your story must show: ● How support was offered to the family member in question, ● Who provided that support, ● How the situation played out. Remember to include examples for each category.
Bear in mind that family members hold a lot of responsibility when it comes to taking care of someone in the family who has a particular need. Summarise, in about 80 words, a personal family insight based on your class discussion.
As a group, summarise some insights you have discovered through your conversations. As each group presents, discuss some similarities you have found. Pay close attention to the impact the stressful situations had on family members. ● How did the family members respond? ● How did they feel? ● How did they interact with the person in need? ● How did they cope?
A personal family insight: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………