Retirement Housing Can Ensure Dignified Life for Seniors

Mohammad Morshedul Hasan, Vice-President (Chittagong) and Chairman of Secure Property Management Ltd., said retirement housing should become an important part of Bangladesh’s future housing policy as the number of senior citizens is gradually increasing.

He said a safe, affordable and well-planned living environment can help elderly people lead a healthy, socially active and dignified life after retirement.

“Public-private partnership is indispensable to secure the future of our senior citizens,” he told the Daily Observer. He urged the government to provide suitable land to housing companies so that they can develop affordable retirement housing projects, especially for middle-class elderly people.

According to him, the government alone cannot meet the growing demand for specialised housing for senior citizens. Private developers have the capacity to invest in, design and manage modern housing projects. The government, on the other hand, can support the sector through land allocation, policy incentives, infrastructure development and affordable financing.

Mr. Hasan said Bangladesh can learn from countries where retirement and senior living communities have already become an established part of the housing system. In the United States, retirement communities provide elderly residents with purpose-built homes, recreational facilities, healthcare support and opportunities for social interaction.

Japan is another important example. As the country has a large ageing population, it has developed different forms of senior housing and assisted-living facilities. These facilities help older people maintain their independence while receiving necessary support.

Mr. Hasan said Bangladesh should develop its own retirement housing model based on the country’s culture, family structure and economic conditions. Retirement communities should have green spaces, walking areas, community centres, medical facilities and security services. Easy access to markets and transportation should also be ensured.

He stressed that retirement housing should not be limited to wealthy people. Affordable housing is particularly important for middle-class retirees who may own a home but cannot afford expensive private senior-living facilities.

He said government support through land allocation and policy incentives could reduce development costs and make retirement housing more affordable. “If the government and private sector work together from the planning stage, retirement housing can become an important social investment rather than simply a real estate project,” he said.

Mr. Hasan added that introducing retirement housing now would help Bangladesh prepare for its future ageing population. It would also ensure that senior citizens can spend their later years in a safe, comfortable, independent and dignified environment.