Ageing with dignity and empowerment

UNDER the theme "The Long Horizon", the 13th edition of the Employees Provident Fund's (EPF) International Social Wellbeing Conference 2026 (ISWC 2026), which ran from Sept 29-30, highlighted how longer lives are reshaping the way people live, work and prepare for the future.

Jointly organised with the Ministry of Finance, ISWC 2026 explored practical solutions and policy responses to the realities of longer lives.

The conference focused on both the challenges and opportunities of longevity, from strengthening retirement adequacy, healthcare and long-term care systems, to enabling continued participation promoting age-inclusive communities, harnessing innovation and technology and building greater social resilience for future generations.

"As Malaysia moves towards becoming an aged nation, we must recognise that longevity is not only a challenge to be managed, but also an opportunity to be harnessed. Longer lives can unlock new sources of economic growth, social participation, innovation and human potential if we prepare effectively today," says EPF chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

Governments, businesses, communities and individuals all have a role to play in building a society where people can live longer lives with dignity, purpose, confidence and financial security, he adds.

ISWC 2026 serves as a timely reminder that preparing for longer lives requires a whole-of-nation approach.

"Through stronger partnerships, innovative thinking and collective action, Malaysia can build a future where every generation is empowered to age with dignity, purpose and confidence."

Across two days, ISWC 2026 featured discussions on key themes including retirement adequacy and financial security, healthcare and long-term care, age-inclusive communities, active and purposeful ageing, intergenerational support, as well as emerging innovations that improve quality of life and support independent living.

There are lessons to be learned from Japan as Malaysia moves towards becoming a fully aged nation by 2048.

Japan has about 50 years of experience in dealing with a shrinking and ageing population, and the measures taken to address the issue can help other countries facing the same demographic shift.

The Japanese approach has been to ensure the elderly stay active, independent and healthy for as long as possible, reducing the need for long-term care and its associated costs.

This means taking steps to reduce the risk of conditions that would halt independent living, says Professor at the Smart Ageing Research Centre, Tohoku University, Japan, Professor Hiroyuki Murata.

Speaking during ISWC 2026, Hiroyuki says for men, stroke and dementia are the two main factors which would impact independent living, while for women, it's dementia, fractures, falls and diseases of the joints.

"The key is to manage these risk factors as it would reduce the number of elderly people who would need long term care," he says.

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The Japanese government has taken active steps to address these risk factors, including putting into place structured programmes for the elderly that encompass aerobic exercises such as walking or slow jogging and strength training as well.

Brain-stimulating activities, meanwhile, aim to reduce the risk of dementia.

Seniors who are physically fit, mentally active and have a strong connection to community and family are less likely to experience physical and mental decline.