Malaysian Sandwich Generation Issues and Challenges in Elderly Parents Care

Abstract

Ageing is a growing concern all around the world. It is the biggest challenge for developing and developed countries, including Malaysia. Malaysia is a country, where ageing care centre runs under the government, NGOs and public sector, and recently few of the religious centres and entrepreneurs are working in this regard. However, still the facilities are lacking ; therefore; all across Malaysia Sandwich Generation families are still providing support to the elderly by themselves. Hence, this paper aims to highlight the concept of Sandwich Generation under the perspective of ageing issues in Malaysia. The “Sandwich Generation” is still an unknown term for Malaysian Society. It practically focuses on the new inclinations in a familial responsibility in the form of support and care for elderly parents along with children. This paper discusses the issues and challenges confronted by the sandwich generation (who are taking care of family and supporting elderly) residing in the leading states of Malaysia. This study adopts the qualitative research strategy, and the population consists of five sandwich generation families living in main states of Malaysia (Johor, Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Klang Valley area). The results highlight that issues such as financial, emotional, dim future, stress, fewer savings and time management are main issues confronting sandwich generation while they perform their role as a caregiver in Malaysia. A recommendation plan is being produced by keeping in view the problems facing by the sandwich generation.