IPOH: Several initiatives to prepare Perak for an ageing population are being studied for possible inclusion in the Perak Budget 2027, says state housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng.
She said studies, particularly on upgrading existing housing, were underway to better adapt homes to meet the needs of senior citizens.
“There is currently no specific figure to measure the state’s level of preparedness for an ageing population, but various efforts are already being carried out under different portfolios,” she told reporters after attending a mobile service counter programme at Kampung Baru Lawan Kuda here yesterday.
Ng said the exco member in charge of the health portfolio will organise programmes to raise health awareness and encourage senior citizens to undergo health screenings.
“Under the welfare portfolio, we will look at the welfare of senior citizens, including expanding the number of senior citizens activity centres as well as increasing allocations for them.
“Under my own portfolio, we are looking at ways to adapt existing housing to better meet the needs of senior citizens.
“For example, we are working with a university on a pilot retrofitting project, where existing buildings can be improved with some minor modifications to meet the needs of senior citizens without incurring significant costs.”
Ng said the focus was on making movement easier and safer, while taking into account the needs and risks faced by senior citizens in their daily lives, such as the risk of falling or slipping.
She said the state is looking at incorporating such considerations into both new housing developments and existing homes.
She said developers also needed to be made aware that age- friendly features could become an important selling point, particularly as the population continued to age.
