Infrastructure, governance, well-being, workforce and engagement of key drivers for improved active ageing in Malaysia: A qualitative inquiry

Abstract

This study examines how elderly care centres and NGOs in Malaysia manage infrastructure, governance, well-being, workforce, and community engagement to support the well-being of older adults and their caregivers, amid the country's rapidly ageing population and projected shift toward "aged nation" status by 2030. A qualitative research design was employed, drawing on semi-structured interviews with representatives from nine organisations, comprising activity centres, care centres, and NGOs across Malaysia, guided by a reflective method that allowed themes to emerge iteratively alongside the literature. Interviews were transcribed and coded using Atlas. ti, and validated through triangulation of multiple data sources. Five interrelated themes emerged from data collection, which are infrastructure and service delivery gaps, particularly in rural areas and specialised geriatric care; governance and financial sustainability challenges linked to fragmented policy and inconsistent funding; emotional and psychological wellbeing concerns among residents and caregivers; workforce shortages, high turnover, and caregiver burnout; and low public awareness of available services. These findings extend the active ageing framework by situating service delivery, workforce dynamics, governance, and cultural attitudes within the Malaysian context, moving beyond individual ageing outcomes toward an organisational and community-level ecosystem. The findings offer guidance for policymakers on strengthening sustainable funding mechanisms, expanding accessible and integrated care models, improving caregiver training and retention, and enhancing community-based awareness programmes to better support Malaysia's ageing population and their caregivers.