SHAH ALAM - Homes do not become dangerous overnight when their occupants turn 70. Risks arise when physical abilities decline but the home environment remains unchanged.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing) director at Associate Professor Dr Rahimah Ibrahim said some older persons experience declines in muscle strength, balance, vision and reaction time, while also having to manage chronic illnesses.
“At the same time, homes may have steep staircases, uneven floor levels, squat toilets, slippery floors, poor lighting, narrow doorways and cabinets that are too high,” she said.
She cited findings from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR), which involved 1,489 people aged 55 and above in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling.
On average, participants had lived in their homes for almost 30 years, with more than half living in multi-storey houses.
“The study showed that a person may still be able to live independently but remain at risk when climbing narrow staircases or reaching for items on high shelves,” she said.
This mismatch between residents’ changing physical abilities and their home environment can make everyday activities, such as bathing, using the toilet, cooking and moving in and out of the house, difficult and dangerous.
In multi-storey homes, bedrooms and bathrooms located only on the upper floor can also leave older occupants confined to one level when their mobility declines.
Rahimah said bathrooms and toilets should be prioritised if only one area could be modified, as wet surfaces, soap, the need to sit down and stand up, and the absence of grab bars can increase the risk of falls.
A UPM study on bathroom and toilet design for older persons also identified five key requirements: comfort, safety, affordability, accessibility and anti-slip flooring.
Meanwhile, Rahimah said older person's reluctance to leave homes they had occupied for years was not simply a matter of resisting change.
After living in the same home for decades, they may be reluctant to leave behind cherished memories, familiar routines and established connections with neighbours and nearby amenities, including shops, clinics, surau and mosques. Many may also have fully paid off their homes.
“When they are asked to move, they are not just leaving their homes but also the lives and social networks they have built over many years,” she said.
This preference was also reflected in the Malaysia Ageing and Retirement Survey Wave 1, which involved 5,613 respondents aged 40 and above and found that nine out of 10 were unwilling to live in assisted living facilities.
Rahimah said the desire to age in place must therefore be accompanied by efforts to make homes safer through adequate lighting, clutter-free pathways, anti-slip surfaces, sturdy support bars, and access to bedrooms and bathrooms on the entrance level.
A Cochrane review of 22 studies involving 8,463 older persons also found that home hazard assessment and reduction programmes lowered the overall rate of falls by 26 per cent, with a 38 per cent reduction among those at higher risk.
“An age-friendly home is not designed exclusively for older people. It is a home that remains safe and accessible at every stage of life,” she said.