Housing Alternatives to Promote Holistic Health of the Fragile Aged

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide research-based argument for a better housing for the dementia elderly within the apartment complex neighbourhood. Six case study’s designs are included to illustrate the types of facilities that could be possible that would provide a better environment for the care of elderly and older people with dementia. Literature was analyzed to give the perspectives of “sustainable and aging society,” “social integration” and “natural environment that promotes health.” Small group workshop was carried out with experienced professionals to discuss the concepts and features of the developed housing alternatives plans to validate the proposal to integrate local residents and promote holistic health for the fragile aged. The findings illustrate the vision for the shared space community, a community home for the dementia elderly, with appropriate scale for easy management and being connected with local community and with affluent green environment for healing and natural environment that would ease local residents’ aversion towards elderly housing. These housing alternatives would enable the elderly to age in place and with the most natural social integration available to local people, with a proper spatial planning to promote holistic health of the fragile aged.