Factor Analysis of Built Environment Design and Management of Residential Communities for Enhancing the Wellbeing of Elderly People

Globally, the number of senior people over 60 years of age is expected to be two billion by 2050 as reported by the United Nations. Thailand is a country facing the problem of an increasing senior population. The main objective of this research is to study the factors related to the environmental perception and requirements in the residential community of the Thai elderly. The research methodology began with observations of and interviews with three case studies in terms of management processes and the environmental designs of existing residential community projects in Thailand. The interview results were used to conclude with related theories and literature. A questionnaire survey was designed for the data collection in order to confirm the factors regarding the requirements of the elderly in the residential community with a group of Thai elderly (531 respondents). The statistical technique exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to classify the factors. The research revealed that the requirements in the residential community of the Thai elderlies were classified according to 3 groups by the EFA. The factors were comprised of the following (1) the requirement of activities and general facilities, (2) the requirement of facilities related to health and security, and (3) the requirement of facilities related to physical exercise in the residential community. The results led to formulating policies in the design and management of the residential community in order to enhance the quality of life, both physically and mentally, of the Thai elderly appropriately. The policies are discussed in the final part of this article.