Sleep tips for people requiring care

 
If the dependent person you are caring for is not sleeping well, try out these ideas to help them.

MANY people dependent on permanent care have trouble sleeping, be it due to pain, sleep apnoea (frequent interruption of breathing during sleep), a repeated urge to urinate or something else.

As a result, they’re often dead tired the next day.

Among other things, this can increase their risk of falling, warns the Berlin-based Centre for Quality in Care (ZQP), a German non-profit foundation dedicated to improving longterm care of older care recipients.

If a care recipient suffers from chronic sleep deprivation, a doctor should be consulted.

Eliminating or alleviating the cause can help them to fall asleep more easily and sleep through the night.

There are also things that caregiving relatives can do.

Here are three:

1. Establish bedtime routines

A bedtime routine signals to the body that the day is over and it’s time to wind down and rest.

There are many different possibilities.

For some people it helps to read a few pages of a book.

Others prefer listening to relaxing music.

Since having cold feet is hardly conducive to sleeping well, taking a warm footbath before going to bed could be beneficial.

Or you could put on a pair of thick, warm socks before going to bed.

Part of the routine could be drinking a cup of calming tea, such as lemon balm, lavender, passionflower or hop, suggests the ZQP.

Better it be a smallish cup though, as drinking a large mug can result in an inconvenient need to urinate in the middle of the night.

2. Create a pleasant sleep environment

A noisy nearby street or bright TV standby light can interfere with sleep.

So care recipients and their caregivers should consider ways to improve the sleep environment.

Even minor adjustments can make a big difference, e.g. wearing earplugs to block out noise or a sleep mask to block out light.

It’s also important to ventilate the room in the evening to remove stale air.

A pleasant sleep environment also includes things that caregiving relatives might not think of right away.

If the care recipient suffers from urinary incontinence, for instance, a super-absorbent bed protector pad can provide more comfort.

3. Promote a normal day-night rhythm

The circadian rhythm, or “internal clock”, of dementia patients can become disrupted, causing them to feel sleepy during the day and restless at night.

This increases the risk of sleep problems, of course.

What’s more, it’s not uncommon that they want to eat at night.

The ZQP advises that caregivers meet these special needs as much as possible, but emphasises the importance of promoting a normal sleep-wake cycle by increasing morning light exposure and decreasing evening light exposure.

Light morning exercises in bed can help patients become alert, and their pyjamas shouldn’t be laid out until evening.

Complete darkness can unsettle dementia patients, however, the ZQP points out, so the room they sleep in shouldn’t be fully darkened.

A nightlight can help, as well as provide orientation in the dark. – dpa

Of AI, calculators and learning maths

 

WHILE teaching mathematics in two countries, Malaysia and China, I have noticed that the way students master this subject is deeply influenced by their own educational culture and assessment systems.

Scientific calculators and artificial intelligence (AI) are now part and parcel of the learning process. However, the students’ approaches to using these tools are still firmly rooted in the foundational values shaped by their respective systems.

In Malaysia, the use of scientific calculators is a standard practice among students at the upper secondary level.

Students are allowed to use them for mathematics and additional mathematics papers in the SPM exams, especially for questions involving trigonometry, logarithms or statistical calculations.

They do speed up calculations and minimise errors, but overly relying on them can sometimes lead to weaker mastery of basic computational skills and reduced understanding of the core mathematical concepts.

Teaching foundation students at Xi’an International University in China under the Universiti Malaya (UM) offshore programme revealed a very different learning system.

Many students there had never used scientific calculators before.

As they were preparing to pursue their undergraduate studies at UM, I made them use the calculators during lectures and assessments.

They were hesitant at first, but I could see their excitement when they tried to use the device.

Nevertheless, most of them continued to solve problems, such as multiplication, square roots and trigonometric expressions, manually and did so with remarkable speed and precision.

This comfort with manual computation stemmed from their early training and a system that actively reinforces such skills.

One of the main reasons for this is China’s national university entrance exam, Gaokao. Known for its intensity and competitiveness, Gaokao strictly prohibits the use of calculators in the mathematics paper. This policy is intentional; it aims to assess a student’s genuine computational skills, ensure fairness across all regions and backgrounds, and encourage deep mastery of mathematical principles without relying on technology. As a result, Chinese students are trained from young to memorise formulas and solve problems manually.

The outcome is a generation of students who possess strong fundamental skills and a high level of confidence when tackling complex problems using logical and structured steps.

Despite these systemic differences, global developments continue to impact both countries. Students in Malaysia and China are now turning to Ai-powered apps such as CHATGPT, Deepseek, Symbolab, and Photomath, and are becoming increasingly dependent on Ai-generated solutions without fully engaging with the problem-solving process.

To address this, I apply a simple yet effective approach in my classroom. Students are required to answer the questions using their own reasoning first before they are allowed to check or verify their answers using AI.

This approach trains them to think critically, assess their own solutions, and compare them with the output provided by AI tools. It also builds confidence in their conceptual understanding.

What I find most encouraging is how students respond when their answers differ from the Ai-generated ones. On several occasions, I have heard them say confidently, “I think my answer is correct. The AI is wrong.” To me, this is a clear indicator of authentic learning.

These students are not simply replicating solutions; they have internalised the logic, are able to explain their reasoning, and are not afraid to challenge the authority of a machine when they believe in their own understanding.

I fully support the integration of AI as a learning tool, but I also believe that solving problems manually and conceptual mastery of the subject – in this case mathematics – must remain the foundation of education.

Technology should enhance students’ learning but not replace their ability to think.

FATIN NABILA ABD LATIFF Senior lecturer Mathematics Division Centre for Foundation Studies in Science Universiti Malaya

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Learn to protect your quiet

 

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LIFE is noisy.

And I don’t just mean the traffic jams or construction drills outside your office window. I mean the constant pinging of notifications. The flood of messages, e-mails, deadlines, expectations. Everyone – and everything – seems to want a piece of your attention.

We rarely realise it, but attention is a precious currency. Once spent, it doesn’t come back easily. And yet, we give it away so freely.

That’s why I’ve come to believe this: In a world full of noise, protecting your quiet is one of the most powerful things you can do.

I’m not talking about silence in the literal sense – although that’s a good start. I’m talking about those little pockets of time where your mind can simply breathe. A morning walk before the world wakes up. A cup of tea in the late afternoon, steam curling softly into the air. The solitude of a hot shower after a long day. Moments where you’re not doing anything for anyone, but simply being.

It’s in those moments, more often than not, that your best thoughts arrive.

I can’t count how many times an idea for an article, a teaching strategy, or a long-delayed solution to a lingering problem popped up, not during a meeting, or while staring at a screen but while tying my shoelaces before a slow run. Or while absentmindedly folding the laundry. Or during the quiet stretch of road between the city and home.

That quiet is not wasted time. It’s integrating time. It’s when all the loose threads of our thoughts

find ways to knot themselves into something useful, or at least something meaningful.

Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet wrote, “There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen.” But how can we possibly hear it when our ears, eyes, and minds are constantly being pulled in a dozen directions?

We can’t. Not unless we make space for it.

The irony is that we tend to undervalue these gentle moments. We label them as idle or unproductive. We try to fill every pause with something – a scroll through social media, a podcast, a reply to a text message. But not every blank space needs to be filled. Some of them are sacred.

It reminds me of a lesson I learned (or rather, re-learned) during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Those years, 2020 and 2021, was a strange period of time – heavy, uncertain, and unusually quiet in all the right ways. With no meetings to rush to and no travel on the calendar, I found myself rediscovering the small joys: walking around my neighbourhood without a destination, sipping kopi while watching the rain, or just sitting still – doing nothing, really – and feeling OK with that.

Somewhere in that stillness, clarity returned. Not suddenly, not dramatically, but slowly. Thought by thought, breath by breath. And I realised how often I had traded away my quiet for noise disguised as urgency.

Even now, the temptation is always there to squeeze more into the day, to reply faster, to be perpetually available. But I’ve learned to put boundaries around those moments that keep me anchored.

A walk is a walk. A bath is a bath. A cup of tea is sacred. No phones, no multitasking, no performance. Just me, being human.

So here’s my gentle challenge to you: Find your quiet. Guard it like it’s something valuable – because it is. Whether it’s 10 minutes in the morning, or an hour on weekends, protect that time. Make it yours. Make it non-negotiable.

You don’t need to meditate or write a poem. You don’t need to come out of it with anything profound. Just let your mind wander. Let your shoulders drop. Let yourself be.

And if someone asks why you’re “doing nothing”, smile and say, “I’m protecting my quiet”. Because in that space, your sanity lives. Your clarity returns. Your soul exhales.

And honestly? The world can wait.

dr nahrizul Adib Kadri is a professor of biomedical engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, and the Principal of Ibnu Sina Residential College, Universiti Malaya.

Have something you feel strongly about? Get on your soapbox and preach to us at lifestyle@ thestar.com.my so that we can share your opinion with the world. The views expressed here are entirely the writer’s own. - By NAHRIZUL ADIB KADRI

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Be prepared to face hotter days

 

Experts warn of wet-bulb temperatures for those vulnerable to heatstroke 

Preparing for Extreme Heat

Tips on how to stay safe in hot weather

 As global warming ratchets up, Malaysians should prepare to face hotter and muggier days during the dry spell brought about by the annual Southwest Monsoon, say weather experts.

Along with this, it is also time to pay attention to not just dry-bulb readings provided by the typical thermometer but also wet-bulb temperatures (WBT), which scientists say are important to those who are vulnerable to heatstrokes or related ailments.

WBT is an indication of how much the air can be cooled by the evaporation of water into it and is usually measured using a thermometer with the bulb covered by a wet membrane, with higher WBT signalling an increased risk for the vulnerable.

WBT and high humidity are often missed during reporting on heatwaves, even though they play a huge role in how a person experiences heat.

Academy of Sciences Malaysia’s fellow Dr Fredolin Tangang said while the Southwest Monsoon season is usually marked by hot and dry weather, global warming could be contributing to even hotter conditions.

“According to the latest observation, the first quarter of 2025 was the second warmest year compared to the corresponding period in 2024, which was the warmest year on record.

“This despite La Nina being active during the first quarter of this year,” he said when contacted.

The APEC Climate Center in (South) Korea, he said, indicated that the surface air temperature over the Indo-pacific region is 80% above normal during the current monsoon period this year.

“Also, the sea surface temperature (SST) was forecasted to be above normal.

“High SST could drive higher relative humidity, and this increases the WBT and also the heat index, creating favourable conditions for heatstrokes,” he said.

Fredolin suggested that the relevant authorities should provide an early warning system to the public to be alert for excessive heat and humidity.

“More public announcements of the danger of heatstroke and how to avoid getting one should be regularly broadcast, while the public should not take lightly the extreme conditions that heighten the risk for heatstrokes,” he said.

A 2023 paper published by researchers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia raised concerns about the future emergence of urban areas as hotspots for heat stress, particularly in peninsular Malaysia.

Their study showed a notable increase in the mean temperature over the peninsula, surpassing the global average, which could lead to a substantial increase in WBT, especially in dense urban regions.

According to National Antarctica Research Centre climatologist Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah, there is a high chance the Asean region will see above-normal temperatures between June and August, based on several predictive models.

“The inter-monsoon period typically transitions into the Southwest Monsoon over the Asean region in June and will continue throughout the outlook period,” he said, while advising the people to minimise their exposure to the blistering sun as much as possible.

Meteorological Department’s (Metmalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the main cause for current hot and humid weather is the Southwest Monsoon that began on May 10, with the phenomenon expected to continue until September.

“This monsoon typically brings dry weather to most parts of the country.

“However, thunderstorms and heavy rain may still occur from time to time,” he said.

Mohd Hisham added that the extended absence of rain over several days could result in searing conditions similar to what happened earlier this month.

On June 2, Metmalaysia issued a Level 1 heat advisory in six areas in the peninsula which experienced maximum daily temperatures of between 35°C and 37°C for three consecutive days.

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Home fires due to electrical short circuits on alarming rise

 

Rising trends: For three consecutive years, landed homes have had the most structural fires caused by short circuits, says the Fire and Rescue Department.

Fires caused by electrical short circuits are on the rise, particularly in residential areas, and are a serious concern. In Malaysia, for example, short circuit fires have been a frequent cause of residential fires and have even resulted in tragic loss of life. A significant percentage of fires are attributed to short circuits, wrong wiring, overheating, and overloading of circuits.

PETALING JAYA: It’s a burning issue in Malaysia – at least 2,000 fires caused by short circuits happened last year, destroying hundreds of homes and causing millions in losses.

It was the highest number of cases in the past three years.

There were 2,030 cases of structural fires due to short circuits last year, compared to 1,264 cases in 2023 and 1,243 in 2022, according to the Fire and Rescue Department.

What is more unsettling is that most of these fires took place in houses where people lived.

“Landed homes recorded the highest number of structural fires due to short circuits for three years in a row,” it said.

In 2022, there were 532 cases involving such properties, but this increased to 595 in 2023 and 745 last year, the department said.

The Electrical and Electronics Association of Malaysia said among the most common yet overlooked issues when it comes to electrical safety at home are overloading power points or using poor-quality extension cord

Its president Albert Tan said many homeowners plug multiple high-wattage appliances into a single socket or power strip, unaware that this can overheat wiring and trigger a fire.

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“Another major concern is neglecting regular inspections of older wiring systems, especially in homes built more than 20 years ago.

“Ageing wires can deteriorate, leading to short circuits or arcing, if not addressed,” he said.

Equally critical, he said, is the mistake of engaging unlicensed or unqualified people to do electrical work.

“Do-it-yourself (DIY) installations or hiring non-certified personnel can result in dangerous wiring that does not meet safety standards,” Tan said.

He said only licensed electrical contractors and competent wiremen should be engaged for all wiring, installation or maintenance work to ensure compliance with safety regulations and technical standards.- The Star

“Always look for Sirim or equivalent safety certification marks. Substandard or counterfeit items may not meet minimum safety standards.

“Also, avoid overloading circuits. Spread out high-power devices like air-conditioners, water heaters, and microwaves across different sockets and avoid daisy-chaining extension cords,” he said.

Installing residual current devices can also help, Tan said, noting how they automatically cut off electricity when a fault is detected.

The growing number of electric vehicles with more users installing chargers at home could add to the problem.

Tan said any charger installation must be done by an Energy Commission-registered electrical contractor with the grade of “Competent Wireman”.

“Improper installation can lead to serious fire hazards and electrical safety risks.

“Household members should also be encouraged to practise simple habits like unplugging appliances not in use and keeping cords away from wet or hot areas,” he said.

He said electrical safety should not be reactive but a routine part of home upkeep.

“We encourage homeowners to treat electrical systems with the same level of seriousness as plumbing or gas.

“Safety begins with awareness.

“It must be followed by responsible action,” he said, adding that the association will continue working with regulators and industry players to promote safe electrical practices, ensure the competency of contractors, and enhance public awareness.

Don’t bite the scammers’ bait

 

PETALING JAYA: Staying alert and cautious about potentially deceptive online links is not just a matter of good practice; it is an essential defence against cunning scammers who aim to drain the bank accounts of unsuspecting victims.

Recently, scammers have exploited various forms of monetary and welfare aid offered online by the government, particularly targeting the lower-­income group by masking hyperlinks to deceive applicants.

Certified fraud examiner and anti-money laundering specialist Raymon Ram (pic) advises that being cautious of suspicious online links can help reduce the risk of online scams.

He said that in addition to emails, malicious links are now appearing across various channels, including short message services (SMS), WhatsApp or Telegram applications, social media posts and pop-up windows.

These links frequently disguise themselves as coming from reputable sources, including government agencies, banks and various service providers.

“Scammers have become skilled at making their links appear legitimate, but there are several red flags online users could look out for,” he said.

He said scammers often create websites that mimic real organisations by adding small typos or extra words to genuine website addresses to hoodwink their potential victims.

Raymon said users should check the core or root domain that comes before the top domain, like “dot com”, “dot gov”, or “dot my”, to make sure it matches the real one they want to use.

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“Users should be aware that the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure protocol (HTTPS) does not assure safety, and neither does the padlock icon, as scammers can easily obtain these certificates.

“HTTPS alone does not prove a site’s legitimacy, as it simply means the data sent is encrypted,” said the founder and managing principal of Graymatter Forensic Advisory, a company that specialises in financial forensics.

He said scammers also insert messages that appear urgent or may emotionally trigger users to react and proceed without caution.

“Examples of such messages include phrases like ‘your account will be suspended’ or ‘claim your prize now’.

“Other indicators of potential scams are poor grammar, misspellings and generic greetings.

“Also, in contrast, legitimate organisations typically address individuals by their names and maintain a professional and formal tone.

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“Users are also advised to preview or scrutinise links to ascertain their destinations before clicking on them.

“If users are unsure, it’s best to avoid such links and verify their authenticity with the institution they are trying to reach,” Raymon said.

Asked whether a single click on a scam link can result in the loss of someone’s bank account, he clarified that it typically requires multiple actions for users to lose their funds.

Raymon said there are three main pathways that lead to online theft, namely through phishing websites – where a user clicks a link and lands on a fake bank login page before providing their username, password and one-time code.

Scammers eventually use the details to access the real account and transfer money, he added.

He said another tactic is to embed malicious mobile applications such as APK files.

“A user clicks on a link that tells them to install an unofficial Android app.

“The app takes over the device and reads SMS messages, intercepts OTPs, or puts up fake banking screens to get login information.

“These programmes allow scammers to watch the user’s activities and capture sensitive information.

“Hence, it is not the first click itself that empties a bank account but a chain of actions that occurred earlier,” he said.

He said scammers also hide dangerous links to trick people, which is a common method used in phishing and other scams.

“Scammers may hide links in several different ways.

“One example would be putting up a button or text that says ‘Visit Bank Negara’, but a hidden link that takes people to a different website,” Raymon said.

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