SHAH ALAM, April 23 — The Selangor government plans to set up the community-based Care Navigator initiative to strengthen support networks for vulnerable groups, especially senior citizens who live alone.
State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said the measure was suggested due to an uptrend in elderly folk living alone, as reported by the Health Ministry (MOH) and Public Health Malaysia.
“We took note when MOH and Public Health Malaysia reported an increase in senior citizens living alone. Our population now has around 12 per cent of senior citizens (in a population of) seven million people,” she said when met at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly here yesterday.
According to Anfaal, the state government will identify the real number of senior citizens living alone via various channels, including Social Welfare Department (JKM) data and aid applications.
She added that initiatives like BINGKAS 3.0 would also be expanded by relaxing criteria for families who have elderly charges, to obtain a clearer picture of the current situation.
“One aim for 2026 is for us to appoint community (carers) called Care Navigators, which could be parliamentary or state constituency-based so they can look in on vulnerable groups.
“This includes caregivers of disabled children, caregivers of senior citizens, and senior citizens who don’t receive any state or federal aid, so we must shore up that ecosystem,” Anfaal explained.
She added that the approach considers social health, not just physical treatment, with the involvement of NGOs, community centres, and senior citizen activity centres (PAWEs).
“This health issue isn’t just physical, but social, so we must work with NGOs and community centres so aid information can be delivered more effectively,” she asserted.
The state government hopes the Care Navigator programme may provide a more comprehensive picture of target groups’ needs and ensure they receive appropriate assistance.
Anfaal also highlighted the need to strengthen home care services under JKM so the initiative is more sustainable in the long term.
