The Elderly-Friendly Housing Concept and Design Features Preferences for

 THE ELDERLY-FRIENDLY HOUSING CONCEPT AND DESIGN FEATURES PREFERENCES FOR MALAYSIAN AGEING POPULATION

Sr Dr Hafiszah Ismail (Project Leader)

Prof. Sr Ts. Dr Ting Kien Hwa

Sr. Sharuzaman Salleh

Sr Dr Robiah Abdul Rashid

Aida Wati Zainan Abidin

Muhamad Saiful Alizan Nordin

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UiTM)

ABSTRACT

The continuous increase of the elderly will render Malaysia with an ageing nation status by 2030. By 2030, it is forecast that Malaysia's elderly population will increase to 15 percent of the total population. Malaysia has adopted the "60 years and over" age group as the cut-off point in deliberating on the elderly. The growth of the elderly (senior) population will affect the housing market and indirectly affect the Malaysian housing demand. Despite the continuous increase of elderly (senior) populations, less attention given on housing provisions that are tailored explicitly according to the needs and preferences of this specific elderly (senior) generations in Malaysia. Due to the growth and increase of longevity of the elderly (senior) population in Malaysia, more emphasis should be placed on offering more housing concepts or living arrangements for this unique group of generations. Age-friendly built environments encourages active ageing to enhance the quality of life as people age (WHO, 2007). This trend is a significant change for the elderly. Many countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore have been incorporated the elderly (seniors) strategies in the housing provisions in their country. The Government especially had practised embedding the elderly (seniors) needs in housing provision developments in their country. However, different scenarios occur in Malaysia, where we have yet to observe comprehensive policy and practice.

Therefore, this study aims to provide an in-depth overview of the Elderly-Friendly Housing Concept and Design Features Preferences for the Malaysian Ageing Generation. The study adopted mixed-method research strategy via qualitative and quantitative data gathering. Despite the Covid-19 restraining order, panels of experts' views and housing consumers' preferences successfully gathered through adjustments of strategy and extension of the research term period. Six (6) main elderly-friendly housing design features preferences by generations derived from the study are; (1) Bathroom; (2) Bedroom; (3) Kitchen; (4) Floor; (5) Living Room; and (6) Staircase. The findings derived from this study will significantly provide the public and private sectors in understanding the needs of the ageing population on the elderly-friendly housing concept and preferred elderly-friendly housing design features for the Malaysian context. Multi-Generational Friendly Housing Concept with elderly-friendly housing design features is a suitable housing concept proposed for the Malaysian elderly (seniors) population.

Keyword: Elderly (Senior) Generation, Elderly-Friendly Housing Design Features, Elderly  housing, Multi-Generational Friendly Housing Concept.