The Malaysian Insight

NURSING and retirement homes are experiencing a dip in donations since the movement-control order (MCO) began on March 18, forcing them to occasionally cook “canned meals” for the elderly, said several administrators.

They told The Malaysian Insight that because of a lack of funds, they cannot afford to buy fresh food, relying mostly on people to cook and send to the homes.

En Yuan Old Folks’ Home manager Jacky Bah said since the MCO was enforced, the centre could not buy fresh ingredients and is resorting to canned food like luncheon meat, sardines and porridge to feed those under its care.

Bah said the home usually relied on charitable activities and donations to sustain itself. But funding and donations have dried up after the MCO was enforced.

“Since March 18, there are no visitors and donations are trickling in. Usually we attend charitable activities to receive donations, but these activities have all been cancelled,” said Bah.

The centre in Kuala Lumpur houses 35 elderly – mainly those who are disabled and have dementia.

“The monthly operational cost is RM30,000. An elderly person basically needs more than RM1,000, including water, electricity, nappies and food. The centre is now facing operational difficulties.”

Bah said the pandemic has decimated donors’ incomes, so there is no way to ask them for donations.

“We have to look after our own needs and this includes asking the landlord to delay rental and utility bills that come up to RM7,000.

“Fortunately, we received a lot of dry food during Chinese New Year, so we have enough to last the month.

“But it will be difficult to sustain if the MCO continues until May.”

The MCO was enforced on March 18 to break the chain of Covid-19 infections. It is now extended to April 14 as the number of infections keeps rising, with 3,963 cases as at yesterday and 63 deaths.

Another nursing home facing the same financial problems is the Xiao Xin Old Folks Home in Serdang, Selangor.

Its administrator, Y.P. Ong, said the centre relies on donations to maintain its operations. However, during the restriction period, it is difficult for volunteers to go out and seek help.

“We don’t have the funds now. We cannot cope with the rental and living expenses,” Ong said.

The centre looks after eight senior citizens and its monthly expenditure is close to RM7,000.

It will run out of money by next month, said Ong.

“If we need to, we will seek the help of nearby food stalls for donations.”

Another home in Petaling Jaya, the Association for the Aged and Disabled Children, is turning to social media to highlight its needs.

The association’s head, Ong Wun Lok, said there are fewer visitors during the MCO period.

“Since last month, we have turned to Facebook to get help for the centre. We have asked people to send donations directly to our bank account.”

He said although it didn’t receive much, it’s enough to solve some current problems.

“There are those who still send food and other necessities to the home,” he said.

The centre in Kuala Lumpur has been operating since 2017. It currently cares for 18 senior citizens, with a monthly expenditure of RM10,000.

“We don’t have a fixed business or group funding, so this month is going to be a headache.

“We have to worry about how to raise money for next month’s expenses.” – April 8, 2020.