ACIF 2025 | A New Model for Active Aging in Malaysia

「We want people not just to live longer, but to live well. When you stay active — physically, mentally, and emotionally — you live better.」— Anna Chew, Meaningfull

The article is based on an interview with Anna Chew, Founder & CEO of Meaningfull, at ACIF Cares Expo 2025 in Taipei

Malaysia’s eldercare industry is undergoing a quiet yet profound transformation, led by entrepreneurs like Anna Chew, Founder and CEO of Meaningfull. Known for developing the country’s first luxury retirement residence and her experience with Care Concierge, one of Malaysia’s largest aged-care providers, Chew is now charting a new course — one centered on community, prevention, and purposeful living rather than institutional care.

People don’t want to live in nursing homes. They want to stay in their own communities — but still have access to programs, care, and companionship,” said Chew.

From Residences to Clubhouses

Chew’s earlier projects introduced high-end senior living to Malaysia, but she soon realized that most older adults, even affluent ones, preferred aging at home or nearby, not in a medicalized setting. This insight inspired the Meaningfull Care Hub, a fresh concept she calls a “clubhouse” rather than a daycare — a lively, non-clinical space where active seniors can socialize, exercise, and join wellness programs by day while returning home at night. “When you say daycare, people think of something medical,” she explained. “But a clubhouse is where you meet friends, have lunch, and do activities. It’s cheerful, not clinical.”

Each hub is located within an urban township and includes fitness studios, physiotherapy and TCM rooms, as well as counseling and screening areas. The concept fills the gap between home care and institutional care — supporting family caregivers while keeping seniors connected and independent.

At the heart of Meaningfull’s philosophy is active engagement. Each clubhouse runs programs that combine movement, creativity, and social interaction — from group exercise and art therapy to mental-wellness talks. Seniors with early dementia are welcome as long as they remain mobile and stable.

A Malaysian Approach to Aging Well

Chew emphasizes that Malaysia’s land advantage and family-based culture allow it to design eldercare differently from dense cities like Hong Kong or Singapore. She believes the healthy elderly should be encouraged to live actively, not grouped with the frail.

“The healthy elderly should not be mixed with the sick,” she said. “They need energy, engagement, and stimulation — not to feel like patients.”

Meaningfull’s town-based model lets families remain close while shifting part of the care responsibility to trained professionals. “Just like there’s a children’s daycare in every neighborhood,” she said, “we should also have a senior clubhouse in every township.”

Building a Sustainable Ecosystem

What sets Meaningfull apart is not just the design, but the ecosystem behind it. Chew built a collaborative platform that integrates partners in physiotherapy, psychology, nutrition, and technology. Each contributes expertise while sharing in the business value.

This structure enables Meaningfull to scale efficiently across Malaysia without heavy dependence on government subsidies. It also aligns with the country’s strategy to attract private investment into wellness and aging services. 

Science, Screening, and Smart Design

Meaningfull’s care model blends science and social design. The hubs incorporate preventive screening tools — from digital brain tests to physical performance checks and urine-based dementia protein tests — that allow early detection of health risks.

“We can now test for dementia proteins using a simple urine stick,” Chew said. “It’s like a pregnancy test for the brain — quick and non-invasive.”

Technology, however, plays a supporting role. Chew is selective in adopting new solutions, choosing only those that enhance human connection.

Shaping the Future of Aging

Meaningfull represents a movement toward preventive, connected, and dignified aging. By integrating community design, health science, and strategic partnerships, the company aims to reshape how Malaysians perceive and experience later life. 

“We want people not just to live longer, but to live well,” she said. “When you stay active — physically, mentally, emotionally — you live better.”

As her first hub gains momentum, Chew plans to expand the model nationwide through partnerships with township developers, insurers, and wellness investors. Her vision is simple yet transformative: every neighborhood in Malaysia should one day have a clubhouse for seniors, just as every family has a place for their children.

“Aging should be meaningful,” she concluded, “and it should start in the heart of every community.”

Coming Up Next

In the coming weeks, we will continue to publish insights from ACIF 2025 speakers and international buyers visiting Cares Expo Taipei 2025, sharing their analyses and perspectives on how different countries are responding to the evolving trends in the aging society and care industry.

Through their experiences, we aim to offer readers a broader perspective on how global collaboration and innovation are shaping the next decade of the healthcare industry.

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