Fittings Malaysian active ageing to senior cohousing: a preliminary study

Abstract

National Policy for elderly had encouraged the elderly to remain active, productive and create opportunities for them to live independently as Malaysia will reach ageing population status by year 2030. Senior Cohousing can be considered as a part of retirement home concept that can improve quality of life and encourages independent living. The objective of this study is to isolate the basic concept of Cohousing and to identify how Malaysian ageing can be fit with cohousing. A preliminary study was conducted among people that are in the age of 50 and over to seek their opinion regarding to current neighbourhood, cohousing potentialities and the acceptable of 6th cohousing elements to their neighbourhood. Data analysed through cross tabulation, likert scale and frequency analyses. The finding showed that the respondent had great potentialities to live in cohousing as they suit with the criterion. Hence, the elements of Neighbourhood Design which are safety and security; privacy; and the layout of the neighbourhood is the most important acceptable elements in developing cohousing. Overall this finding will be useful to identify senior cohousing mechanism especially in determining the suitable activities and to propose the other core elements of cohousing development suit with Malaysian active ageing community.