PUTRAJAYA, April 22 — The rising number of senior citizens living alone in Malaysia is not merely a lifestyle shift, but a sign of changing social structures that could have serious implications for their well-being, safety and quality of life.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Vice-Chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said findings from the 2025 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) showed the trend was driven by demographic changes, including smaller family sizes, migration of younger generations to urban areas and changing household economic circumstances.
“As more senior citizens live alone, we can no longer regard their care as solely the responsibility of families. Demographic shifts and current economic pressures call for a new, more comprehensive and community-based approach,” he said in a statement today.
Through its Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing), UPM stressed the need to strengthen home and community-based support systems through the active involvement of neighbours, volunteers and senior activity centres as part of a daily support network.
Ahmad Farhan said early detection mechanisms for at-risk senior citizens should also be enhanced through data integration among agencies and closer cooperation involving local communities, healthcare facilities, the Social Welfare Department and religious institutions.
He said barriers to accessing services, particularly transportation constraints highlighted in the NHMS 2025 findings, must be addressed urgently as they affect the ability of senior citizens to obtain regular treatment.
“The provision of mobile healthcare services, community transport and outreach programmes in rural areas must be expanded to ensure no one is left behind in accessing healthcare,” he said.
Ahmad Farhan also said ageing should be treated as a cross-sector policy agenda requiring coordination across healthcare, welfare, housing, transportation and community development, in line with the concept of age-friendly cities and communities.
Malaysia is expected to become an ageing nation within the next decade, he said, adding that the growing number of senior citizens living alone should serve as an early warning on the need for a more inclusive, sustainable and responsive long-term care system.
“UPM remains committed to contributing through research, policy support and community interventions to ensure every Malaysian can age with dignity and well-being,” he said.
Meanwhile, MyAgeing director Assoc Prof Dr Rahimah Ibrahim said the situation exposed senior citizens to various risks, including delays in receiving medical treatment, safety concerns during emergencies and psychosocial challenges such as isolation and undetected depression.
“In this context, complete reliance on the family institution as the primary care system is no longer sufficient,” she said.
