Topic 1 – Care Services for Older Persons and Support for Caregivers from the Government’s Perspective by Puan Ruhaini Binti Haji Zawawi, Senior Principal Assistant Director of Senior Citizen & Family Division, Social Welfare Department of Malaysia (JKM) In her presentation, Puan Ruhaini briefed the following:4. The Senior Citizen & Family Division was established on 1 April 2005 to provide effective protection for senior citizens, destitute persons and their family members. Senior citizens are defined as those who are 60 years and above, based on the UN World Assembly on Ageing in Vienna 1982. 5. The governing laws and policies relating to the care of the older persons include the Destitute Persons Act 1977, Domestic Violence Act 1994 and the 2012 amendments, Care Centre Act 1993, Rules of Destitute Persons Act 1981, National Policies and Plan of Action on Older Persons 2011. 6. Malaysia had also introduced a National Policy and Action Plan for Older Person. The policy aims to create an enabling and supportive environment for the well-being of older persons as well as to promote healthy, active and productive ageing and to improve the quality of life of older persons in national development. The policy covers six strategies, namely promotion and advocacy; life-long learning; safety and security; governance and shared responsibility; intergenerational solidarity; and research and development. 7. JKM provides several types of residential care for older persons and destitute persons including 9 Rumah Seri Kenangan and 2 Rumah Ehsan, 2 Desa Bina Diri and a Pusat Sehenti Bina Diri Sg. Buloh. As of October 2012, there were 2973 residents in those centres. One of the care centres was under renovation, therefore the residents were temporarily moved to a non-governmental organisation centre and other vacant centres, causing the number of residents to decrease to around 2800. REPORT ON CARE SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS AND SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS 53