SOCIAL INTERACTION AMONG ELDERLY IN COMMUNITY PARKS

Abstract

Singapore is facing an ageing population whereby in 2030, one in five residents would aged 65 and above. The social well-being of the elderly is important as being socially active is beneficial to their emotional and physical development. In an attempt to extend the social network among the elderly or residents in the neighbourhood, green spaces such as Community Parks have been constructed in the estate. Moreover, the inclusion of facilities and elderly corners in the parks serve to encourage participation from the elderly. Hence, this paper seeks to discuss and analyze the role of Community Parks as a platform for social interaction among the elderly, specifically their perception and attitudes towards the parks and the facilities available. This study was conducted on the elderly through 250 surveys in five Community Parks to identify their usage pattern of the parks and perception towards the parks in achieving their social needs. The results gathered have indicated that Community Parks provide a good setting for the elderly to engage in social interaction. The facilities and the natural landscaping are the important determinants for the quality of interaction. The conduciveness of the facilities would affect the duration of the stay and the usage pattern. The overall perception and the attitudes towards the Community Parks as a platform for social interaction are positive, although some elderly felt a lack of community bonding and facilities in certain parks. Greater community cohesion can be fostered through organising more community activities for the development of community bonding and enhancement on the quality of social interaction. Better environment could be created through providing sufficient facilities, abundance of natural landscaping and better maintenance of the parks.