Income Progams for Elderly in Malaysia

An analysis of available statistics and medical services among Malaysian elderly was conducted by Sushama (1985). While the author notes that 3 percent of the Malaysian population is over 65, no real data is provided on medical service usage. However, it is noted that the elderly poor are eligible for an allowance of M$50.00 per month and that the Department of Social Welfare has established 8 homes for the elderly with places for 2,465 people. Religious organizations provide homes for 3,000 more. However, it is stated that he elderly sick are often abandoned in hospitals because, if non-ambulatory, they are not eligible for care in these homes.

Although Malaysia is not specifically discussed in an article on health care usage in third world countries authored by Evans, Lashman, Hall and Warford (1981), the point is mae that analysis of statistical data collected

. . .
ay affect health care usage in third world countries in general and among Muslim Malaysian elderly in particular is the belief in fatalism (the belief that one's situation and circumstances are dictated by fate or some other outside agent rather than by internal attributes, characteristics, choices, etc.) In the next section of the review, the literature on fatalism as it relates to the topic under investigation is examined. Fatalism Values and beliefs of a country can be very much related to the population's degree of willingness to use health care services. This point is made by Boyles and Nordhaugen (1989) who discuss health care service delivery to Muslim populations. (This discussion is of relevance to this research since the Malaysian data to be analyzed was collected from elderly Muslims). The authors note that in their work with Muslims, in order to maintain high usage rates of health care service delivery, it is necessary to make provision for religious and religion-related beliefs; e.g. to segregate the sexes, to be sensitive to female modesty, and to make accommodations for times of prayer. Indeed, in their conclusions, Boyles and Nordhaugen (1989) note that their work is challenging and effective but that: Su
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Specifically Ho, Boyles Nordhaugen, Center Findings, Shead Modern, Benjoussef Wessen, Organization UNICEF, Social Welfare, Care Usage, Arab Jamahiriza, Muslim Malaysian, health care, third world, third world countries, world countries, health care services, care services, care usage, health care usage, health services, fatalistic attitudes, medical care, usage medical, usage third world, benjoussef wessen, health care delivery,
Approximate Word count = 1728
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)