Kuala lumpur: The ASEAN+Republic of Korea (ROK) Conference on Care and Support for Older Persons delegation today visited Woodrose Senior Residences, an elderly care centre to learn about best practices that can raise the standard of elder care across borders.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Woodrose group executive chairman Abdul Rashid Bernard Lawrence stated that the visit was attended by health and welfare leaders from across ASEAN and Korea, including the director-general of the Health Policy Bureau, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, Kwak Sunheon. The delegation toured the senior living facilities’ medical and rehabilitation care units, interactive activity zones, and private residences.
He mentioned that the visit, which also included officials from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, reflects growing recognition of the complex challenges posed by demographic shifts and the role institutions like Woodrose play in providing solutions. ‘During the visit, our medical staff presented their model of care, which blends clinical excellence with emotional and spiritual support, particularly for Malaysia’s Muslim elderly population. This visit reinforces that eldercare is not a domestic issue-it’s a regional imperative, and we are proud to show how Woodrose meets both medical and cultural needs of older persons in a modern, respectful environment,’ he said.
Abdul Rashid emphasized that the visit comes at a critical time when Malaysia is officially an aging society, with 8.1 percent of its population aged 65 and above as of 2024, a figure expected to nearly double to 14.5 percent by 2040. He noted that similar trends across Southeast Asia are reshaping health, housing, and family structures, placing pressure on governments and care providers alike. ‘In many ASEAN countries, traditional family-based caregiving is becoming less viable due to urban migration, smaller households, and rising costs of living. This makes institutional eldercare not just a necessity but a cornerstone of public health strategy,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development International Relations Division undersecretary Dr. Satish Ranggayah stated that the visit aimed at fostering closer collaborations and enhancing human capital development in older people’s care across ASEAN and the Republic of Korea. He stressed the importance of collaboration in building sustainable models for eldercare, highlighting the significance of visiting and studying centres like Woodrose.
‘Woodrose Senior Residences plays a pivotal role in Malaysia’s evolving eldercare landscape through its Shariah-compliant, holistic approach to senior living. The facility offers a comprehensive suite of services, including long-term residential care, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, memory care for dementia patients, as well as daycare and short-term stay options,’ he said. With multiple locations across Selangor, the organisation not only cares for older persons but also provides reassurance and support to their families amid a rapidly changing social environment.