b. Health is one of the most important predicators of life satisfaction in old age; c. Health is a prerequisite for an independent life in old age; d. Health is vital to maintaining an acceptable quality of life in older individual and ensuring the continued contributions of older persons to society; e. Health is a determinant of economic growth and competitiveness (decreasing early retirement of older persons); f. A healthy population reduces health-care spending and lowers the burden on the health-care system. 19. In addition, she further suggested the following as a realistic plan of action for older persons:a. To have a Database of older persons in Malaysia; b. To develop strategy to improve access to care, addressing constraints and problems faced by older persons, including payments for services in the private care sectors; c. That screening programme which should also include assessment of complex and multiple problems, identify priority groups for general practitioners’ attention, care plans for general practitioners and their role vis-a-vis other caregivers on the care team so as to give holistic approach to caring for the older persons; d. To develop a pool of service providers especially general practitioners and identify their training needs and organisation to address all aspects of care that would affect health and well-being; e. Monitoring and evaluation component of the programmes that should be developed. 58 REPORT ON CARE SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS AND SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS

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