Where to Eat: Exploring Silver Consumer Restaurant Dining Choice in Malaysia

Abstract

Eating out among older adults are becoming the norm due to its convenience and potential for social interaction. Malaysia is expected to become an aged nation whereby 14% or more of its population will be 65 years and older by 2050. Very little is known about restaurant preferences and patronage behaviours of older adults in Malaysia even though there had been numerous researches done involving this population. It is important to acknowledge this age group not just because they are living longer; but also, because they are getting bigger in size and economic power. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors influencing Malaysian older or silver consumers’ restaurant dining choices. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were done with Malaysian older people ages 55 and above. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed. Atlas.ti software (version 7) was used to complement researchers’ analyses of interview transcripts and develop a visual representation of qualitative data. Major thematic categories identified by older consumers in this study included food, service, and location. Data are visually mapped and relationships between different themes are presented. This study will be beneficial in providing more insights to restaurateurs in Malaysia to better meet silver consumer needs.

Outcomes of a trial of an age‐friendly dining initiative: Dining Co

“…Of the seven domains of age‐friendly dining identified in the workshops, five (Menu, Affordability, Venue, Feeling Welcome and Assistance) are echoed in other studies. Good food, service, venue/location were all important in Bakar et al’s Malaysian study 4 . They also identified an additional factor of socialising and companionship.…”

“…Good food, service, venue/location were all important in Bakar et al's Malaysian study. 4 They also identified an additional factor of socialising and companionship. Two of the strongest motivations for older consumers to eat out are convenience and companionship.…”

“…3 A rare recent study investigating this gap in the literature interviewed Malaysian people aged over 55 and identified eight factors that influence their restaurant dining choices: ageing deficits, life perspective, socialising, food, service, location, price and discounts, and recommendations from trusted sources. 4 Good food and service were the key drivers of older adults' intention to re-visit a dining venue. However specific guidelines that are both age and culturally appropriate are required to support dining venues to confidently alter their offerings.…”

Locating Senior-Friendly Restaurants in a Community: A Bi-Objective Optimization Approach for Enhanced Equality and Convenience

“…Consequently, the location of senior-friendly restaurants must be carefully chosen to ensure that the majority of senior residents within the community are encompassed within their service area. The convenience of a senior-friendly restaurant's location significantly influences seniors' willingness to dine in, as indicated by recent research [23]. Senior citizens tend to engage in multiple activities when they go out.…”

Dining comfort in elderly care facility dining rooms and influencing factors before and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Elderly and young people differ significantly in terms of dining because of differences in age, physical fitness, and other factors. A study of 'silver consumers' in Malaysia found that elderly people living in households were more conscious of food quality and service when eating out (Bakar et al, 2020). Older people living in geriatric care homes will also expect a restaurant-style experience, but will value stable table companions over flexibility (Kenkmann and Hooper, 2012).…”