Senior citizens housing: potential for retirement home concept in Malaysia

Over the years, architectural designs and technological advances in construction industry had evolved significantly. Developments are designed to specially cater the needs of specific target group. Despite the evolution, it is observed that limited or none of these developments are likely to benefit the elderly especially in term of healthcare and elderly friendly design. With an increasing trend of senior citizens population in Malaysia, it is just about time to introduce a new concept, namely retirement home, which had been adopted in many abroad countries, including our nearest neighbouring country, Singapore. Beyond nursing homes, the new concept focused on the total quality of life - physical, social and spiritual. Therefore, this study seeks to provide an overview on the retirement home concept and an outlook on the demographic aging transition in Malaysia as well as the needs of the elderly based on primary and secondary data gathered. Next, services and retirement living options provided in other countries are discussed and compared with situation in Malaysia. Finally, a Malaysian model of retirement home is proposed with reference from findings collected and overseas retirement home models.