It is a well known fact that elderly retired people, many of them with different degree of disability can suffer from loneliness and depression, because of lack of social activities.
With this in mind and to provide a better quality of life through community activities for senior citizens, a new centre has been open in Petaling Jaya. Local MP Maria Chin Abdullah said during a visit in the area that she has witnessed elderly people with disabilities who have not been out of their homes for years. She hops the new centre will provide elderly people with the opportunity to engage in recreational activities. “Many elderly people with disabilities are just locked inside their homes while their children go to work”, she said. Many of these people live in high density areas with very few or none recreational facilities. They need a place to move around with their wheelchairs. “The ground floors and the streets around more high rise buildings are taken by cars and it is very difficult for the elderly to take a walk,” said the MP after launching the new centre.
Maria Abdullah’s office will fund the rental and the activities at the centre while the Welfare Department will provide grants worth RM3300 (10000 USD) for the setting up of the centre. Over RM4.5 million has been allocated in this years budget for nearly 130 similar centres nationwide. The centres function as avenue for senior citizens from the age of 60 and above to occupy their time as well as acquire skills and knowledge. Each centre offers different activities based on location and the people who visit it.
