More elderly parents prefer welfare home rather than being a burden to children

IPOH: After years of hard toil raising their children, more and more elderly and ailing parents prefer to spend their twilight years in nursing or old folks' homes rather than being a burden to their children.
Hamidah Nok, 74, fondly called Opah, is one happy and contented occupant at the Titian Abadi Muslim Old Folks' Home (Pekita) in Jalan Lahad, here.
According to Opah, who suffers paralysis of the legs due to a stroke, it was her choice to stay at Pekita as she did not want to be a burden to her family, especially her children who have their jobs and families to take care of.
As a mother, Opah said she had never been disheartened or disappointed with her children as they were busy with their lives and she had always prayed for their success as their happiness also brought her joy.
"My children often visit me here and keep pestering me to come home, but I am happy to be with many friends here," she said when met by Bernama recently in conjunction with Mother's Day, today.
Opah has been living at the old folks' home for over a year.
Similarly, Nik Zaidah Mohd Arif, 88, chose to be at Pekita as she did not want to bother her daughter-in-law after her only son was bedridden following a stroke.
According to Nik Zaidah, who hails from Lambor, Kuala Kangsar, her daughter-in-law had always persuaded her to stay with the family in Kuala Lumpur but she had rejected the offer as she was comfortable in Pekita.
"My daughter-in-law is already 67 and she has her hands full, but it gives me great joy when she comes to visit with my six grandchildren and three great grandchildren especially during Hari Raya," she said.
Meanwhile, Pekita chairman Ahmad Wan Chik said the welfare home, which began operation five years ago, now had 25 elderly occupants, 19 of whom were permanent residents.
"The permanent residents were sent here by their next-of-kin for various reasons. The others are just here on temporary basis, or when their children are outstation," he said, adding that children should learn to appreciate their parents more while they are still around. — Bernama