Senior citizens can continue living actively and independently when public infrastructure is built with elderly accessibility, safety and comfort in mind. — Filepic
AS Perak prepares to become the first state in Malaysia to attain ageing status, significant efforts are needed to accommodate the needs of its growing elderly population, particularly in terms of infrastructure.
A state or country is classified as ageing when more than 14% of its population is aged 65 and above.
Malaysia is projected to reach this milestone by 2043 but Perak is expected to reach it by 2030.
According to the Statistics Department, 14.6% of Perak’s population was already aged 60 and above in 2023.
Furthermore, projections indicate that within the next five years, around 18% of the state’s population will be aged 65 and above.
Cognisant of this demographic shift, Perak housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching stressed the urgent need to enhance infrastructure to support the elderly.
“We need to evaluate whether existing buildings, public markets and bus stops have been designed with elderly accessibility, safety and comfort in mind.
“Conducting audits will help identify weaknesses of the current facilities,” she said at an event for the elderly in Ipoh, Perak, Bernama reported.
Local authorities will play a critical role in implementing the Elderly-Friendly Rating System at public facilities such as parks. — Filepic
The government plans to introduce an Elderly-Friendly Rating System, which will assess infrastructure, public facilities and housing based on universal design principles.
It draws inspiration from the Green Building Index, said Ng.
“The proposed Elderly-Friendly Rating System will serve as a benchmark to determine whether housing schemes, government buildings and public spaces such as restaurants and malls are safe and can accommodate senior citizens’ needs.”
Ng said the system’s star rating would provide a clear and credible reference for the public when they choose facilities like a restaurant or home.
“Key criteria for the rating would include pedestrian-friendly walkways, elevators, ramps, adequate lighting and comfortable rest areas.
“Public facilities will be evaluated based on access to public transport, elderly-friendly restrooms and sufficient seating.
“In terms of housing, designs should be safe, accessible and suitable for individuals with limited mobility, while fostering a sense of community.
“From a social perspective, the system should encourage the establishment of senior activity centres, healthcare services and socially engaging environments,” she added.
According to Ng, this rating system will enable local governments to plan cities and public amenities more effectively while also encouraging housing developers, government agencies and the private sector to meet elderly-friendly standards.
Ng says a rating system will encourage housing developers to meet elderly-friendly standards.
She opined that the initiative would promote healthy competition among developers, as projects with higher ratings would have stronger market appeal.
“This initiative will also bring long-term benefits, ensuring that developers and the government remain accountable, promoting compliance with elderly-friendly development principles, and position Perak as a pioneer in age-friendly communities to create a truly inclusive and sustainable environment.”
She also said the initiative aligned with the National Ageing Agenda, which would be a key focus of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) set to be tabled in Parliament this year.
Role of local authorities
Ng emphasised the crucial role of local authorities in implementing the Elderly-Friendly Rating System.
“When discussing programmes for senior citizens, we often associate these with the Welfare Department.
“However, local authorities are equally relevant because they are responsible for enforcing policies at the community level, in addition to being responsible for urban planning and city management.
“There are various issues concerning the elderly community. For example, whether approved housing developments meet their needs and whether public infrastructure and facilities comply with safety and accessibility standards for seniors.”
At Jalan Medan, Ipoh, the children of an elderly woman struggle to manoeuvre her pushchair along a ramp because of a hard rubber obstruction in the middle of the path. — TRACY TOH/The Star
She stressed that it was essential for the state government, particularly the state housing and local government committee, to fully understand the needs of senior citizens, enabling local authorities to plan effectively for the future.
Additionally, she said housing planning tailored to the needs of senior citizens also presented an economic opportunity in the future.
Care centre planning review
Meanwhile, Malaysian Association of Social Care Professionals and Homes (Masoc Care) secretary-general Dr Melody Ang Xing Yuen has called for a review of the Care Centre Site Planning Guidelines issued by the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), particularly regarding building height restrictions.
“According to the standard operating procedure (SOP), the maximum building height is limited to two storeys for detached houses, semi-detached houses and shop lots that are converted into elderly care centres.
“The SOP should allow for the construction of larger and more modern retirement housing and care centres.
“Therefore, the two-storey height restriction should be reassessed,” she said.
Ang said that while Malaysia had established national standards to address the challenges of an ageing nation, particularly in infrastructure, implementation remained inconsistent and varied among local councils.
“These standards exist at the federal level and are enforced by some local authorities such as (in) Petaling Jaya, Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
“However, public awareness of these standards and compliance by developers remain unsatisfactory.
“I strongly recommend that an awareness campaign be launched immediately, especially in states with a high elderly population, such as Perak.”
A Perak bus stop that has no seating, would inconvenience any elderly passenger.
Japanese model
Citing the Fukuoka 100 Project, Ang highlighted how authorities in Fukuoka, Japan, have ensured that all segments of society share a common goal – creating a conducive environment for senior citizens and their caregivers.
“The authorities in Fukuoka have conducted awareness campaigns across cities, districts and villages, ensuring the involvement of the entire community.
“In Malaysia, only Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has undertaken a similar initiative.
“MBPJ, in collaboration with Masoc Care, has organised talks and workshops across Petaling Jaya, engaging communities from all income groups – B40, M40 and T20.
“Other local authorities should follow MBPJ’s example,” said Ang.
This broken walkway in Greentown would be hazardous for any pedestrian, especially an elderly one.
The Fukuoka 100 Project is built on the kaigo concept – a comprehensive elderly care system that encompasses caregiving skills, housing, community building, and lifestyle support.
“As part of the Fukuoka 100 Project, they leveraged technology by developing an application that allows elderly individuals to easily find caregivers near their homes.
“Additionally, the app features a tracking system that alerts caregivers and family members if an elderly person is at risk of falling,” Ang added.
