The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security’s 20-year residential development strategy (2017-2036) was approved on September 12, 2017. The strategy includes the “Housing for All” policy, which aims to provide all Thai citizens with a universal place to live, providing a balanced and healthy environment to promote the happiness of society. As the aging society in Thailand progresses, by 2031 it will be known as the “Super Elderly Society” with 28% of the population being elderly. Therefore, it is important to prepare for the elderly in various aspects such as health, economics, psychological conditions, and home living. Research conducted by the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute has found that the elderly’s daily lives are greatly affected by their home environments. The survey of the elderly population aged 80 years and over reported that 18% had an upstairs bedroom, 47% used a squat toilet, and 7% used to fall inside the house. Most of these falls were caused by inappropriate living environments which were the same environments they used to live in when they were younger and could take care of themselves. 

Thus, designing a house for the elderly needs to consider changes in their physiology, such as reduced vision, diminished hearing, decreased memory, and slower movement. The principle of Universal Design should be applied to improve the design to meet the needs of all groups of people. To address these requirements, a housing project for the elderly in Chainat Province has been established with the cooperation of the Housing Authority and Rangsit University. The project layout emphasizes airiness, more green areas, and wider thoroughfares. The layout also includes necessary facilities inside the house, with two types of designed houses, a one-story twin, and a two-story twin where the upper floor is prepared for the elderly’s relatives who come to visit them. Furthermore, the accommodation section includes an open plan layout design with elements that promote safety, such as handrails in various points, rounded corners on furniture, leveled flooring to prevent stumbling, and spacious bathrooms with sliding doors for wheelchair accessibility.