SHAH ALAM, April 21 — Selangor will introduce guidelines for Senior Citizen Activity Centres (PAWE) to help the elderly remain active and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and social welfare Anfaal Saari said the guidelines are expected to come into force this year and will be implemented across all local authorities.
“We are aware of findings from the Health Ministry (MOH) that 30 per cent of senior citizens have all three of these chronic diseases. A health screening programme for the elderly began last year under the state executive councillor for public health and the environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
“Although advocacy for healthy living among the elderly falls under the MOH, the state government supports activities for this group, including those carried out at PAWEs
“However, Selangor aims to introduce guidelines for such centres in every local authority this year,” she told Media Selangor.
Anfaal added that the effort is crucial given the increasingly worrying rise in chronic diseases among the elderly.
Earlier, findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2025: Elderly Health revealed that 39 per cent of this group suffer from diabetes, while 73 per cent have high blood pressure.
Similarly, 76 per cent were recorded as having high cholesterol levels, while 68 per cent have at least two of the three chronic conditions. Meanwhile, 30 per cent were reported to suffer from all three diseases.
The same data also showed that 30.6 per cent of the elderly are physically inactive, while 12.8 per cent are engaged in high levels of sedentary behaviour.
