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Issues and Needs of Elderly in Community Facilities and Services: A Case Study of Urban Housing Projects in Bangkok, Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Wiruj Somsopon

    (Urban Innovation and Sustainability, School of Environment, Resources and Development, AIT, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand)

  • Sohee Minsun Kim

    (Urban Innovation and Sustainability, School of Environment, Resources and Development, AIT, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand)

  • Vilas Nitivattananon

    (Urban Innovation and Sustainability, School of Environment, Resources and Development, AIT, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand)

  • Kyoko Kusakabe

    (Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development, AIT, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand)

  • Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen

    (Development Planning Management and Innovation, School of Environment, Resources and Development, AIT, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand)

Abstract

Thailand is projected to become a “super-aged” society in 2050, with more than 35 percent of the population aged 60 or above. The aging population represents enormous challenges in supporting the elderly’s needs in terms of living environment and well-being. Providing community facilities and services that foster healthy aging in urban residential areas ensures that older adults feel comfortable aging in their homes or communities. Therefore, this research study includes a comprehensive assessment of the needs of elderly people that used community facilities and services using a focus group interview, a site investigation, and a questionnaire survey in five urban housing projects in Bangkok. The study reveals that the need for community facilities and services, such as green spaces, safety facilities, and medical services, was prioritized by the majority of elderly respondents, especially those who were ambulant and active. Elderly people’s income and health status, the provision of community facilities and services for the elderly, and the usability and accessibility of community facilities were found to be key factors that affected elderly people’s satisfaction and participation in social activities. As reported in the literature, an elderly-friendly living environment should support social activities in the open spaces of residential areas. It is revealed by the study that green spaces, safety facilities, elderly clubs, medical and long-term care services, and social activity arrangement services were instrumental for elderly people’s social and health status; therefore, these should be considered by housing developers and facility managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Wiruj Somsopon & Sohee Minsun Kim & Vilas Nitivattananon & Kyoko Kusakabe & Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen, 2022. "Issues and Needs of Elderly in Community Facilities and Services: A Case Study of Urban Housing Projects in Bangkok, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-23, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:14:p:8388-:d:858648
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Banister, David & Bowling, Ann, 2004. "Quality of life for the elderly: the transport dimension," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 105-115, April.
    2. Jung-A Park & Byungsook Choi, 2021. "Factors Affecting the Intention of Multi-Family House Residents to Age in Place in a Potential Naturally Occurring Retirement Community of Seoul in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Suwanrada, Worawet & Sukontamarn, Pataporn & Bangkaew, Busarin, 2018. "Who supports intergenerational redistribution policy? Evidence from old-age allowance system in Thailand," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 12(C), pages 24-34.
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    2. Yiwen Zhang & Haizhi Luo & Jiami Xie & Xiangzhao Meng & Changdong Ye, 2023. "The Influence and Prediction of Built Environment on the Subjective Well-Being of the Elderly Based on Random Forest: Evidence from Guangzhou, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-16, October.

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