THERE is a need to meet the mental health expectations of the aged and their care providers, including families, as Penang moves into a substantially ageing population state in the next few years.
Penang is officially an ageing state, with over 7.7% of its population aged 65 and older.
Driven by a low fertility rate and longer life expectancy, senior citizens are projected to make up 26.2% of Penang’s population by 2040, making it one of the fastest-ageing states in Malaysia.
There is no need to push the panic button in terms of providing care for senior citizens, but there is a need to plan and invest now, said MTT Group of Companies property and asset director Leonard Theng Boon Liang.
Together with the sales & marketing manager, Serena Cheah, Theng shared an insight into the development of Penang's first integrated senior living resort, called Eden at Botanica CT in Balik Pulau, saying that mental health is a priority.
The project, which was conceptualised in 2020, is through a joint venture with Eden-On-The-Park by featuring an active living resort with villas and apartments alongside a dedicated nursing care residence and private hospital.
"We need to cater to the mental health concerns, from loneliness to limited mobility and society's neglect of the old. Hence, there is great effort and collaboration done with all strata of society," said Theng.
Despite criticism that the project is located far from the epicentre of hospitals and the main township, Theng said that Balik Pulau has the trappings of retirement homes, as it is located in the tranquil part of the state.
In fact, even the Prai mainland may not have the settings of tranquillity and green lungs compared to what Botanica CT is offering now, said Theng.
The developer will aspire to provide holistic care for seniors signed up for the retirement resort setting, said Theng.
Chiefly, is soothing the concerns of the caregivers and senior members, who are part of the fully furnished resort development, said Theng.
There are 350 units on 16 floors backed by a nursing care unit and a Selgate private hospital within the vicinity of the resort.
"So far, about 30 to 40 per cent of the units have been snapped up," said Theng.
It is scheduled for completion by 2027, and the rollout of the units would be done gradually in tandem with the supply and demand, said Theng. - August 10, 2028.
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