Malaysian sandwich generation issues and challenges in elderly parents care

Abstract

Ageing is a growing concern all around the world and also one of the biggest challenges for developing and developed countries. Malaysia is a country where ageing care centres are actively running under the government, NGOs, the public sector, and recently a few of the religious centres and entrepreneurs are working in this regard. The facilities in ageing care centres are not up to the mark due to which sandwich generation families are still providing support to their elderly parents in Malaysia. Hence, this paper aims to highlight the concept of sandwich generation focuses on the new inclinations in a familial responsibility in the form of support and cares for elderly parents along with children. This paper discusses the issues and challenges confronted by the sandwich generation residing in the leading states of Malaysia. This study adopts the qualitative research strategy semi-structured interview technique has used for data collection. The sample size consists of five (5) sandwich generation families living in leading states of Malaysia (Johor, Penang, Kedah, Selangor, and Klang Valley area). The results reveal that financial, emotional, dim future, stress, fewer savings, and time management are the main issues confronting sandwich generation in Malaysia. A recommendation plan is being produced based on the problems facing by the sandwich generation.