Innovativeness and Acceptance of Retirement Housing in Thailand

Abstract

Changing demographics and lifestyles in Thailand are eroding traditional patterns of family support for the elderly. Caring for the elderly within the family structure is no longer assured. However, the concept of living in retirement housing is unfamiliar to most senior Thai citizens. The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptance of nontraditional retirement housing by pre-retirees in Thailand. The study was based on Rogers’ theory on diffusion of innovations. Personal innovativ eness toward housing and acceptance of four types of nontraditional retirement housing were examined. Faculty (423) from an age-stratified sample at selected Thai universities completed a self-administered questionnaire. A positive correlation was found between personal innovativeness toward housing and acceptance of nontraditional housing types. Personal innovativeness also mediated the effect of demographic and housing characteristics on acceptance of all nontraditional retirement housing types. Of the four housing types, the universal designed single-family detached house was the most acceptable, followed by continuing care retirement housing. Acceptance was highest among males, those with higher incomes, and those with higher innovativeness scores.

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Notes on contributors

Virajada Buasri

Virajada Buasri is Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty of Architecture, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Bangkok, Thailand

Carmen D. Steggell

Carmen D. Steggell is Associate Professor and Leslie Davis Bums is Professor and Chair, Department of Design and Human Environment Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.

Leslie Davis Burns

Carmen D. Steggell is Associate Professor and Leslie Davis Bums is Professor and Chair, Department of Design and Human Environment Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.