This paper empirically tested eight key features of WHO guidelines to age-friendly community by surveying 211 informal caregivers and 402 self-care adults (aged 45 to 85 and above) in Malaysia. We examined the associations of these eight features with active aging and social connectedness through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. A structural model with satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices (CMIN/df = 1.11, RMSEA = 0.02, NFI = 0.97, TLI = 1.00, CFI = 1.00, and GFI = 0.96) indicates that transportation and housing, community support and health services, and outdoor spaces and buildings are statistically significant in creating an age-friendly environment. We found a statistically significant positive relationship between an age-friendly environment and active aging. This relationship is mediated by social connectedness. The results indicate that built environments such as accessible public transportations and housing, affordable and accessible healthcare services, and elderly friendly outdoor spaces and buildings have to be put into place before social environment in building an age-friendly environment. Otherwise, the structural barriers would hinder social interactions for the aged. The removal of the environmental barriers and improved public transportation services provide short-term solutions to meet the varied and growing needs of the older population.

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PurposeThis paper examines the relationship between physical functioning, financial condition, and personal factors with life satisfaction among Malaysian adults. Method Convenience sampling is employed to conduct a questionnaire survey among 42 adults aged 40 and above from Melaka, the historical state of Malaysia. Financial condition measures the ability to finance daily expenses, emergencies, and medical care. Physical functioning refers to instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), or the ability to perform activities for independent living. Social connectivity refers to how often respondents meet with relatives or friends at least once a week. Age is divided into two groups: below 65 years old (younger adult) and above 65 years old (older adult) 1 . The sample consists of 27 younger adults and 15 older adults. Psychological factor measures emotional and cognitive well-being. Health status is self-reported by the respondents. Financial condition, IADL, and psychological factor indicated high levels of internal consistencies with Cronbach's alpha more than 0.8. Results & Discussion Multiple regression results as shown in Table 1 reported that financial condition was the strongest predictor of life satisfaction 2 and this result was consistent with past studies. IADL and younger age were also found as significant predictors of life satisfaction. The dummy variable of older age negatively related to life satisfaction 3 . On the other hand, social connectivity, psychological factors, and health did not significantly contribute to life satisfaction. A possible explanation is that 86% of the respondents have received adequate functional and emotional support from family members given that they are living together. The result suggests the potential need for help with IADL by intelligent and person-ware technology besides human assistance. Smart home furnishing with technology such as sensors, alarms, monitoring systems, and automatic devices that support aging and independent living should be introduced. Technology facilitates physical and financial independence promotes life satisfaction when one ages. References