Left Behind & Forgotten: Abandoned Parents Spent Raya Alone At JB Care Home
Some children even changed their contact numbers, making it impossible to trace them.
While most families celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri in joyful reunions, a care home in Johor Bahru saw elderly parents left behind, waiting in vain for children who never returned
The Nur Ehsan Elderly Care Centre, home to senior citizens from various backgrounds, reported a worrying yearly spike in requests to temporarily "place" elderly parents during the festive season.
According to the centre, some families disappear entirely after dropping off their loved ones.
Manager Saifullah Zulkarnain said the centre received numerous calls in the weeks before Hari Raya from children looking to leave their ageing or ill parents due to travel plans or distance.
"They're willing to pay the fees, no matter the cost," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
"But we don't entertain these requests unless there's a genuine reason, like chronic illness or if the case is referred by the Johor Islamic Religious Council."
Image via Harian Metro (YouTube)
Saifullah said there have been cases where family members even changed their contact numbers, making it impossible to trace them
"One elderly woman kept calling out for her children. They never came.
"She passed away before Ramadan without ever seeing them again," he said.
While some responsible children visit regularly or choose to celebrate Raya with their parents at the home, Saifullah said they are the exception. Most residents are left behind and neglected.
Since opening in 2015, the home has welcomed outsiders — including those without surviving parents — to celebrate Aidilfitri with residents in an effort to lift their spirits.
"We prepare special dishes, and some visitors even bring food to share," he added.br>
The centre also organises daily light exercises and spiritual sessions. But even with all these efforts, Saifullah said nothing can replace the feeling of being remembered by one's own children.
"Aidilfitri is supposed to be about gratitude and family. What we're seeing is the exact opposite."
Image via Muhammad Najmi Nor'Azam/Harian Metro
A couple of years ago, a doctor claimed that some children send their elderly parents to hospitals right before celebrations begin:
Meanwhile, read how a retired 75-year-old businessman has become a source of comfort for hundreds of elderly citizens in KL:
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