AI in Elderly Care: Is it a Necessity Now?

Prepared by Finfin Nataly

8 September 2026

Ageing is no longer a distant concern in Malaysia but a present reality. During the Dewan Rakyat session last August, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan highlighted that the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) projected Malaysia would reach ‘aged nation’ status by 2048. This will occur when the proportion of citizens aged 65 and above reaches 14 per cent of the total population[1]. Not only does this indicate a significant demographic transition, but also a policy concern that requires immediate attention. In response to the rapid rise of an ageing population, many countries have adopted AI-integrated solutions, such as Hyodol, a medical reminder and emotional support plushie for the ‘super-aged’ South Korea[2] and AIREC, Japan’s caregiving robot, which has been under development for some time[3]. Back at home, a similar initiative has been introduced by the Selangor state government, in collaboration with Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor (YAWAS), which is a pilot project to install 150 AI-powered safety devices to monitor and protect senior citizens at care centres and in individual homes[4]. However, does this solution truly reflect Malaysia’s current needs and realities? Or are we pursuing it simply because others are doing the same?

Malaysia’s current elder care ecosystem

To answer this, it is necessary to look into the current ecosystem for elderly care in Malaysia. Despite the country’s ageing population, formal care services remain relatively limited. According to Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat[5], there are only eight Rumah Seri Kenangan and two Rumah Ehsan operating nationwide. Moreover, support services are similarly constrained. For example, the Unit Penyayang Warga Emas (UPWE), which helps older persons’ mobility in accessing healthcare and other essential services, operates with only nine vehicles across Peninsular Malaysia and none in East Malaysia[6]. As a result, elderly care continues to rely heavily on families. While it has long been a key feature of Malaysian society, growing care demands can place considerable pressure on households, particularly on women, who remain the primary caregivers in many families. A 2025 survey by the Khazanah Research Institute found that 52.7 per cent of women who had previously been employed became homemakers due to caregiving responsibilities[7]. The issue, therefore, goes beyond care provision itself, as it also affects household income, labour force participation, and the ability of families to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.

Should we care about AI in Malaysia’s Elderly Care?

AI undoubtedly offers various benefits that can help address some challenges associated with ageing. This includes its ability to monitor health conditions, provide medication reminders, and issue alerts during emergencies, which can enhance safety and support independent living among older persons[8]. However, it is important to remember that these tools only work well when there are strong care systems in place. Without sufficient caregivers, adequate facilities, and accessible care services, technology alone cannot fill the gap. Hence, AI should be seen as a supporting tool rather than one that replaces the human role, because while AI can improve how care is delivered, it cannot create care capacity where it does not exist.

This is why Malaysia’s priority should be strengthening the core foundations of its elderly care system. This includes expanding facilities such as Rumah Seri Kenangan and Rumah Ehsan, while further developing community-based care initiatives such as mobile care services and local caregiver support networks. At the same time, greater investment is needed to train and professionalise the caregiving workforce through formal certification programmes, improved remuneration, and clear long-term career pathways. These are not merely short-term solutions but long-term investments that will shape the capacity of Malaysia’s care system to meet the demands of an ageing population. Furthermore, while both the public and private sectors have important roles in this process, their responsibilities are on different levels. The private sector can contribute through innovation, greater flexibility, and the expansion of care options available to older persons. As for the government, it should remain the main anchor of the care system. This is not only because elderly care is a public responsibility that should be guided by principles of equity, affordability, and accessibility, but also because state involvement is essential to ensure that care services reach low-income households, rural populations, and families that may be unable to afford privately provided care.

What Malaysia must prioritise in Elderly Care

In conclusion, integrating AI into Malaysia’s elderly care system now is a secondary priority. The current focus must remain on addressing structural gaps in the sector, including the availability of adequate facilities, a well-coordinated care system, sufficient caregiving capacity, and accessible support services. Once these foundations are firmly in place, Malaysia could gradually consider integrating AI into an elderly care system that is prepared to adopt and benefit from it. Premature implementation risks exacerbating existing weaknesses rather than resolving them, and may potentially place additional strain on an already underdeveloped care system, undermining the quality and effectiveness of care delivery. References

1. Ministry of Finance (2025) “Malaysia to Become Aged Nation by 2048 - Amir Hamzah”

2. Grouard, S. (2025) “South Korea’s aging population finds comfort, care in ‘robo-grandma’ dolls” CNN

3. Takenaka, K. (2025) “AI robots may hold key to nursing Japan’s ageing population” Reuters

4. Annuar, S. S. (2026) “Protecting senior citizens: Selangor plans to install 150 AI devices in June” Media Selangor

5. Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (2026) “Institut Warga Emas & Keluarga”

6. Jabatan Digital Negara (2026) “Public Service Delivery and Local Government - Elderly Care Unit (UPWE)”

7. Mukhriz, I. (2026) “Malaysia’s elderly care industry: Ready or not? — Ilyana Mukhriz” Malay Mail

8. Padhan, S., Mohapatra, A., Ramasamy, S. K., and Agrawal, S. (2023) “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics in Elderly Healthcare: Enabling Independence and Quality of Life” Cureus