Abstract
The paper aims to propose a conceptual framework in order to examine the relocation intention of older people to a smart retirement village (SRV) in Malaysia based on the push-pull approach and the Five-Factor Personality Model. In this paper, the issues of population ageing, retirement villages built globally and locally, and past studies related to the push-pull and five personality dimensions are reviewed. Due to the scarcity of research regarding SRV in Malaysia, factors influencing the relocation intention of older people to an SRV are still under-explored in Malaysia. There is limited study linking personality and relocation intention, thus, understanding the personality of older people may help to examine salient factors which prompt them to relocate. Although SRV is a fairly recent model of provision in Malaysia, they are plausible to address objectives of main policy on supporting older people’s independence and quality of life. The outcome of the study will certainly benefit to individuals that are related with commissioning and developing services for older people in the public and private sectors.
Keywords: Intentionolder peoplepersonalitypush-pull frameworkrelocationSRV
Introduction
This section provides an overview of population ageing in Malaysia and issues related to the Smart Retirement Village (SRV). Besides, the theoretical and empirical studies related to the Push-pull framework with the Five-Factor Model of Personality are also discussed in this section.
Impacts of population ageing
Demographic ageing or population ageing is a type of demographic event where there is an increase in the number of older people in the population. It is one of the crucial demographic events that occurred in the 21st century (Wan-Ibrahim & Ismail, 2014). The rapid rise in the elderly population is not a new global phenomenon (Holdsworth et al., 2013). Population ageing is known as the remarkable 21st-century social transition, which will affect the society that includes financial markets and labour markets, goods and services demands for instance housing needs, healthcare, social protection and transportation. A rise in the elderly population could cause changes in economics and social to various countries, for example, more demand on healthcare, pension systems and welfare, a rise in dependency ratios, and reduced forces in labour (Pastalan, 1990).
In Malaysia, the number of older people aged above 60 years is estimated to rise up to 3.3 million in the year 2020. Department of Statistics Malaysia stated that Malaysia will experience population ageing as the population aged above 65 years hits 7.2% in 2020. Moreover, Selected Demographic Indicators Malaysia in 2018 concluded that for 65 years and above age group have a population of 2.10 million in 2018 as compared to 2.00 million in 2017. Currently, the health care system in Malaysia is focused on short-term care and hospitalization. In addition, Shannon et al. (2010) also found out that the elderly are a special population with special housing needs and aspirations. Therefore, there is an important call to add more facilities to address the needs of the elderly in Malaysia, especially in Long-Term Care provision. The aged care service delivery is complicated and requires detailed planning in Malaysia as it is a multiracial country (Lim, 2012).
Retirement village
Hu et al. (2017) stated that a retirement village can generally be defined as a community for the elderly that is well-equipped with many accommodations, service, and facility to assist the elderly needs. Living independently, institutionalization and age-friendly environment are the foremost retirement village’s characteristics (Hu et al., 2017). Retirement villages are known as “desirable and appropriate to spend one’s golden years” in Australia (Stimson & McGovern, 2002, p. 3). It is one of the factors for older people relocation decision as retirement villages can meet the needs of older people (Crisp et al., 2013). Services in retirement villages vary from food and accommodations, maintenance and repair services, features of security, transport services and medical practitioners visits (Kennedy & Coates, 2008).
Meanwhile, in Malaysia, retirement villages are considered as a newly introduced accommodation, thus most Malaysian senior aged at home rather than joining community villages. According to Ong (2002), the concept of retirement communities or retirement villages like those in the Western countries are at the beginning phase in Malaysia, thus, the demand rarely studied. The idea of retirement homes in the western countries are newly introduced in Malaysia, thus, the demands have not been studied (Ong, 2002). Currently, four retirement villages in Malaysia such as The Green Leaf and AraGreens Residence in Selangor state, Green Acres in Ipoh Perak state and Eden-on-the-Park in Kuching, Sarawak were developed.
Smart retirement village
A smart retirement village is the evolved version of retirement villages. Smart village is defined as a society with a vision of the future that includes the use of ICT in a fresh and innovative manner to empower its inhabitants, institutions and areas as a whole (Jung, 1998; Lindskog, 2005). One of the global phenomena that exist is the concept of the smart community or village (Coe et al., 2001; Lindskog, 2005). The improvisation in information communication technologies (ICTs) has made this a globally growing phenomenon (Kim et al., 2012). Harper (2003) and Kim et al. (2012) believed that to improve the quality of life, the smart paradigm should cover smart homes. Frisardi and Imbimbo (2011) viewed Smart home as a technology-equipped housing that facilitates monitoring old residents to improve quality of life and promote physical independence, in addition, to reduce caregiver burden, in their study of dementia in the context of ageing. Even though research regarding retirement villages includes abundance of issues like relocation of the residents, living experience and environment in the village, less studies has been conducted to the involvement of Internet of Things, which depicts a world of networked smart devices, in the planning process of Smart Retirement Village (SRV) establishment from the perspectives of older people.
Push-pull framework
Over the years, the combined influence of ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors have resulted in the conceptual framework used to describe relocation decisions (Bogue, 1969). As motivation is a complicated and complex phenomenon, thus it is best to be elaborated using push and pull forces. A study by Darton et al. (2011) state that the reasons for moving were classified as a push or pull factors, relating to older people's circumstances or to the benefits of extra care provided by the destination of migration. Push and pull factors were relocation purposes, which push factors are defined as circumstances pushing people apart from current house and pull factors which attract individuals to a new destination and also known as relocating or migrate encouragement (Golledge & Stimson, 1997). Table
In this paper, the push-pull factors will be selected based on the study according to Stimson and McCrea (2004) as the main reference for this paper. Generally, declining health and mobility are the top most cited justification for relocations during old age (Bekhet et al., 2009; Stimson & McCrea, 2004). Additional needs for more services such as health care after ageing will highly likely prompt an individual to deem retirement village as an amenity which supports living independently and providing care continuity facilities.
The Five-Factor Model of personality
The extent of whether retirement village is viewed as a suitable housing in the future might be linked to more distinctive individual characteristics such as personality. The characteristics of individuals, especially personality, that may influence relocation into retirement village living is rarely studied. Substantial research has proven that personality traits are responsible for the distinction of reactions of life events in different individuals. The five broad dimensions (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness and neuroticism) of the Five-Factor Model of Personality (Costa & McCrae, 1992) that have been linked with various significant individual, interpersonal and social outcomes (Ozer & Benet-Martinez, 2006).
By grasping how personality characteristics affect an individual’s adjustment plans in later life may stipulate the reason several older adults are prone to the retirement villages’ concept than the counterparts. A study conducted by Reis and Gold (1993) had included explanatory mechanisms of why retirement adjustment should be linked with the Big 5 Personality. They concluded that life satisfaction can be enhanced through the factor of Extraversion and Agreeableness which aids a better support network in retirement. Proactive coping in retirement is determined by Conscientiousness, involvement in new activities by Openness, while Neuroticism could cause the major retirement transition harder to cope with. Specifically, individuals having a high score in extraversion are usually defined by assertiveness and social activities participation which attract to retirement village’s social opportunities. While those high in agreeableness and conscientiousness adapt well to life events and environments that are new (Bardi & Ryff, 2007), individuals having a higher openness score enjoys experiences that are stimulating and novel (Koenig & Cunningham, 2001), possibly making them consider relocation more promptly. Therefore, it is essential to investigate whether the different personality characteristics of older people affect their future relocation intention to SRV.
Problem Statement
Population ageing is growing and so does the demand for better healthcare and facilities. Currently, Malaysia’s health care system focuses on short-term care and hospitalization. Even though Malaysia citizens can enjoy thorough medical and health care services, specific programs dedicated to the elderly are inadequate as the elderly requires care in the long term (Mafauzy, 2000). The aged care service delivery is complicated and requires detailed planning in Malaysia as it is a multiracial country (Lim, 2012).
Generally, Retirement village is known as a feasible institute targeted to the elderly. However, this concept of Long-Term Care is still new in Malaysia and there are limited studies available to understand the relocation intention of the Malaysian elderly to a retirement village. Due to the advancement of science and technology, traditional retirement villages had evolved into a Smart Retirement Village, unfortunately less is investigated regarding the acceptance of the elderly to a Smart Retirement Village. Besides, the identification of components and personality characterizing older people relocating to retirement village housing in the future are crucial in developing a deeper understanding of the needs and expectations of the elderly populations to create a better age-friendly environment for the elderly in Malaysia.
Research Questions
-
What are the push and pull factors that affect the relocation intention of older people to a Smart Retirement Village?
-
How does personality affect the relocation intention of older people to a Smart Retirement Village?
Purpose of the Study
This study aims to propose a conceptual framework to examine the relocation intention of older people to relocate to a smart retirement village based on the push-pull approach and the Five-Factor Personality Model.
Research Methods
This study will be based on quantitative approaches, via the questionnaire distribution with the older people (i.e retiree) aged 60 and above at the Activity Centre for the Older People (PAWE), a service of social aids or community reaching out and development to the elderly. Out of the 51 PAWE, only those PAWE located at Klang Valley will be selected for the purpose of this study. Letters will be sent out to the individual PAWE to obtain management approval to conduct interviews with older people (i.e., retirees, aged 60 and above) who perform daily activities at the centre.
A pilot study with 30 respondents will be conducted and followed by the distribution of the final refined questionnaires randomly to a sample of 300 older people (i.e., retirees) who perform daily activities at PAWE.
Findings
The proposed conceptual framework is illustrated in Figure
![Push-pull framework of relocation intention of older people to Smart Retirement Village](https://www.europeanproceedings.com/files/data/article/1023/11140/AAMC2019F37.fig.001.jpg)
Conclusion
By understanding the influencing factors to consider relocation to a smart retirement village from the perspective of older people, the special needs of the Malaysia’s elderly can be determined. This paper is related to the Strategic Thrust 1 (i.e., enhancing inclusiveness towards an equitable society) of 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020) which aim to enhance the living environment for the elderly. As a result, Governments, developers and family members will be able to promote the delivery of an SRV, thus creating an age-friendly environment for older people in Malaysia.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for the financial support received from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia under the FRGS/1/2018/SS06/MMU/02/3
References
- Bardi, A., & Ryff, C. D. (2007). Interactive effects of traits on adjustments to a life transition. Journal of Personality, 75, 955-983.
- Bekhet, A. K., Zauszniewski, J. A., & Nakhla, W. E. (2009). Reasons for relocation to retirement communities: A qualitative study. Western journal of nursing research, 31(4), 462-479.
- Bogue, D. J. (1969). Principles of demography. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 52(1), 168.
- Coe, A., Paquet, G., & Roy, J. (2001). E-Governance and smart communities: A social learning challenge. Social Science Computer Review, 19(1), 80-93.
- Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Four ways five factors are basic. Personality and Individual Differences, 13, 653-665.
- Crisp, D. A., Windsor, T. D., Butterworth, P., & Anstey, K. J. (2013). What are older adults seeking? Factor encouraging or discouraging retirement village living. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 32(3), 163-170.
- Darton, R., Bäumker, T., Callaghan, L., & Netten, A. (2011). Improving housing with care choices for older people: The PSSRU evaluation of extra care housing. Housing, Care and Support, 14(3), 77-82.
- Frisardi, V., & Imbimbo, B. P. (2011). Gerontechnology for demented patients: Smart homes for smart ageing. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 23(1), 143-146.
- Golledge, R. G., & Stimson, R. J. (1997). Spatial behavior: A geographic perspective. The Guilford Press.
- Harper, R. (2003). Inside the smart home: Ideas, possibilities and methods. In Harper R. (Eds.), Inside the Smart Home (pp. 1-13). Springer.
- Holdsworth, C., Gould, W., Finney, N., Marshall, A., & Norman, P. (2013). Population and society. Sage Publications.
- Hu, X., Xia, B., Skitmore, M., Buys, L., & Zuo, J. (2017). Retirement villages in Australia: A literature review. Pacific Rim Property Research Journal, 23(1), 101-122.
- Jung, J. G. (1998). Smart communities: Digitally-inclined and content-rich. New Telecom Quarterly, 19-26.
- Kennedy, D. J., & Coates, D. (2008). Retirement village resident satisfaction in Australia: A qualitative enquiry. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 22(4), 311-334.
- Kim, M. J., Cho, M.E., Hong, H.O., & Kim,J.T. (2012). Placemaking: The role of smart communities and services in the housing complex. SHB2012 - 8th International Symposium on Sustainable Healthy Buildings, Seoul, Korea, 105-124. http://www.sustainablehealthybuildings.org/PDF/8th/mijeongkim.pdf
- Koenig, C. S., & Cunningham, W. R. (2001). Adulthood relocation: Implications for personality, future orientation and social partner choices. Experimental Ageing Research, 27(2), 197-213.
- Lim, C. K. (2012). The changing needs of older Malaysians: A Selangor case study (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Adelaide.
- Lindskog, H. (2005). Smart Communities Initiatives. The Information Institute, 83-101.
- Mafauzy, M. (2000). The problems and challenges of the ageing population. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 7(1), 7-9.
- Ong, F. S. (2002). Ageing in Malaysia: A review of national policies and programmes. Ageing and longterm care: National policies in the Asia Pacific Singapore, 107-149.
- Ozer, D. J., & Benet-Martinez, V. (2006). Personality and the prediction of consequential outcomes. Annual Review of Psychology, 57, 401-421.
- Pastalan, L. A. (Ed.) (1990). Aging in place: The role of housing and social supports. Routledge.
- Reis, M., & Gold, D. P. (1993). Retirement, personality, and life satisfaction: A review and two models. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 12(2), 261-282.
- Shannon, W. L., Shubair, M. M., & Michalos, A. C. (2010). Surveying older adults’ opinions on housing: Recommendations for policy. Social Indicators Research, 99(3), 405-412.
- Stimson, R. J., & McCrea, R. (2004). A push–pull framework for modelling the relocation of retirees to a retirement village: The Australian experience. Environment and Planning A, 36(8), 1451-1470.
- Stimson, R., & McGovern, S. (2002). Retirement villages: An alternative housing lifestyle for retirees. In The Retirement Village Industry. Evolution, Prospects, Challenges. University of Queensland Press.
- Tyvimaa, T., & Kemp C. L. (2011). Finnish seniors’ move to a senior house: Examining the push and pull factors. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 25(1), 50-71.
- Wan-Ibrahim, W. A., & Ismail, Z. (2014). Some demographic aspects of population aging in Malaysia. World Applied Sciences Journal, 30(7), 891-894.
Copyright information
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
About this article
Publication Date
06 October 2020
Article Doi
eBook ISBN
978-1-80296-087-7
Publisher
European Publisher
Volume
88
Print ISBN (optional)
-
Edition Number
1st Edition
Pages
1-1099
Subjects
Finance, business, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, environment, green business, environmental issues
Cite this article as:
Muhd Noor Woon, N. H. W., Booi-Chen, T., Nasreen, K., Wooi-Haw, T., & Chee-Pun, O. (2020). Relocation Intention Of Older People To Smart Retirement Village: A Conceptual Framework. In Z. Ahmad (Ed.), Progressing Beyond and Better: Leading Businesses for a Sustainable Future, vol 88. European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences (pp. 424-430). European Publisher. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2020.10.37