Kesejahteraan warga emas yang mengikuti aktiviti di pusat aktiviti warga emas (PAWE), di negeri Selangor

The transitional increase of the elderly population is is an issue and pose a challenge to the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) in ensuring their well-being. One of the approaches undertaken by the DSW is the establishment of the ‘Pusat Aktiviti Warga Emas’ (PAWE) which is in accordance with the The National Policy For Older Persons and Plan of Action For Older Persons. However, there is no empirical studies conducted on the role and effectiveness of PAWE since its inception in 2001.
Therefore, this study aims to; a) assess the level of well-being of the elderly who attend events conducted in PAWE; b) examine the differences of well-being of the elderly based on the demographic factors; c) study the relationship between the
effectiveness of PAWE and the well-being of the elderly; and d) to examine the roles and responsibilities of PAWE management in order to ensure the elderly’s well-being. The study was conducted at three locations and used both quantitative as well qualitative approaches. A total of 78 respondents were selected based on
convenience sampling techniques to answer the Older Persons Quality Of Life (OPQOL) questionnaire and six of the centers’ managers were interviewed. The
results of the quantitative analysis found that the majority of the respondents have a high level of well-being while the rest said to have a moderate level. There is a significant difference of well-being which is based on the marital status. There is a positive relationship between the effectiveness of the program and the well-being of
the respondents. The results also found that the roles and responsibilities of management practices are in line with the PAWE guidelines provided by the DSWM. The results of this study showed that the activities at PAWE were correlated to the
well-being of the elderly in Malaysia. Accordingly, specific policies and improvement of PAWE program are needed to consolidate services for the elderly