Chapter 3- Report of the Research and Policy Development Group Participants at the Seminar on Care Services for Older Persons and Support for Caregivers, Kuala Lumpur The seminar was divided into two sessions and involved panel discussions led by speakers representing the Ministry of Health and Welfare Department, civil society groups, the medical profession and academia. The participants were from government agencies, civil society groups, private care centres, academia and the medical profession. The discussions covered a range of issues: 82 • The Government has a role in providing care services for older persons and support for caregivers including NGOs, family-members and operators of private care centres. Concern was expressed about the limited number of the government-funded old folks’ homes and senior citizens’ activity centres, as well as financial aid for older persons. • The Government is required to monitor private care centres under the Care Centres Act 1993 in the peninsula and Sabah. The standard of private care must be scrutinised, so that exploitation does not occur. • There is a need to create public awareness of the rights of older persons, in order to protect their rights and provide quality care. • The issue of long queues in public hospitals was reiterated alongside the shortage of gerontologists and primary healthcare practitioners. • It was suggested that financial aid and technical support be provided to private caregivers, including operators of care centres and individuals. This is crucial if the intention is to move from government-based care to that provided by the community and private sector. • Special privileges for older persons, such as discounts, should be expanded. At the same time, older persons should strive to be proactive and independent, in order to minimise their need for government aid. • With regard to legal protection of the rights of older persons, views were split between enforcement of existing laws and introduction of new laws. Social and cultural factors were cited together with the parent-child relationship, which is personal in nature.