ASEAN+ROK Delegation Visits Woodrose Senior Residences, Underscores Regional Commitment To Elder Care

SHAH ALAM, July 4 (Bernama) – 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.

Woodrose group executive chairman Abdul Rashid Bernard Lawrence in a statement said the visit, attended by health and welfare leaders from across ASEAN and Korea including director-general of the Health Policy Bureau, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea, Kwak Sunheon, toured the senior living facilities medical and rehabilitation care units, interactive activity zones, and private residences.

He said 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 said the visit comes at a critical time, when Malaysia is officially an aging society, with 8.1 per cent of its population aged 65 and above as of 2024, while that figure is expected to nearly double to 14.5 per cent by 2040.

He said across Southeast Asia, similar trends 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 said.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development International Relations Division undersecretary Dr. Satish Ranggayah said the visit was aimed at fostering closer collaborations and enhancing human capital development in older people's care across ASEAN and the Republic of Korea.

He said the collaboration is essential to building sustainable models for eldercare, hence the importance 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 day-care 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.

-- BERNAMA