Promoting Sustainable Cities and Communities for Older Persons through Understanding their Preferable Social Activities

Abstract

Malaysia is on track to become an aged nation by 2030, with older people accounting for 15% of the total population. Changes in a country’s demographic composition of older people have a significant socioeconomic impact, given that medical and long-term care services account for the majority of government spending. Promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among older people has become critical to their ability to live independently. Social participation among older persons is one way to encourage active ageing. The purpose of this study was to learn more about older people’s preferred social activities to better understand their preferences to promote sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). A qualitative research approach was used in the study by using a semi-structured interview with a total of 41 older persons. Three states including Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were selected as the main location to reach the targeted participants in the study. All the older participants were selected based on the inclusion criteria including; (1) older persons aged 60 years and above; (2) older persons who participated in the social activities; (3) activities centres located at three urban areas including Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. The findings of the study found five (5) types of preferred activities among older persons: (1) Leisure learning activities; (2) Religious activities; (3) Community-related activities; (4) Home-based activities; and (5) Job-related activities. In conclusion, there is an apparent need to provide aged–friendly areas and create a good built environment to assist the older persons, in keeping with the national agenda to achieve aged nation status and achieve the SDGs.