Chapter 3 - Report of the Research and Policy Development Group Several activities were carried out as part of the research, including consultations, visits to care institutions and half-day seminars (Table 2). Table 2: Research on Rights of Older Persons, 2013 NO. (i) ACTIVITY DATE 1. Consultation on the Rights of Older Persons in Malaysia 4 February 2. Visit to Rumah Seri Kenangan, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 23 April 3. Visit to Lecadia Primacare Centre, Pudu, Kuala Lumpur 23 April 4. Visit to Old Folks Day-care Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 11 July 5. Half-day Seminar on Care Services for Older Persons and Support for Caregivers, Kuala Lumpur 30 July 6. Half-day Seminar on Care Services for Older Persons and Support for Caregivers, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah 24 September 7. Half-day Seminar on Care Services for Older Persons and Support for Caregivers, Kuching, Sarawak 26 September Consultation on the rights of older persons The objectives of consultation were to: • Gather information on the existence of specific bodies which protect against age discrimination or are mandated to protect and promote the rights of older persons, if any; • Examine the existence of laws and legal provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of old age; • Analyse current laws, policies, practices and procedures as well as plans of action which have been adopted to ensure the equal enjoyment of rights by older persons, particularly in the areas of prevention and protection against violence and abuse, social protection, food and housing, employment, legal capacity, access to justice, healthcare support, and long-term and palliative care services; and • Exchange views on the proposal for a UN and/or ASEAN Convention on Older Persons. The 28 participants, comprising representatives of government agencies and NGOs, highlighted these issues: • The unsuitable built environment of some facilities poses a major physical obstacle and challenge to older persons. 79