Profil sosial dan pengaturan tempat kediaman warga tua Bidayuh Daerah Bau Sarawak: social profile and living arrangement for elderly Bidayuh in Bau District, sarawak

Population ageing or the increasing proportion of older population is a 21st century phenomenon. Today older population not only increased in developed countries but in developing ones as well. Based on data collected from the Bidayuh, Sarawak, this article discusses some profile characteristics of the Bidayuh elderly, and explains the pattern of their living arrangement. Using a mixed method approach, a total of 101 older populations aged 60 years and older amongst the Bidayuh living in Bau district were chosen as respondents. Quantitative data were collected through face-to-face interviews whilst qualitative data were gathered through observation and in-depth interviews. Results show that the majority of the respondents do not have formal education. Nearly all of them receive monthly income RM600.00 and below and have more than five children. The findings of the study also show that despite of the rapid development in the area, the majority of the elderly still living in extended family with spouse, children and grandchildren