About Assisted Living

Most seniors wish to continue living in a familiar environment surrounded by familiar faces. Yet as we grow older, these places we have been living in all our lives may not be sufficiently equipped to support our needs, nor may family members be able or available for long term care and support.

With limited options, seniors who need assistance in daily living may find themselves seemingly stranded in their current place or even being admitted into a nursing home prematurely. A study found that the average time spent living in nursing homes in Singapore is 5–15 years as compared to 2 years in the United States.

It is then important to discuss the possible options for living with assistance in a place where one can feel at home. Currently, assisted living options are increasingly being explored as a communal facility or as a housing option within residential estates. They serve as variants to the common goal of ageing in place while providing the right amount of assistance and community benefits, so as to preserve independence and improve the quality of life for our seniors.

Overview of current senior care landscape in Singapore.

The Assisted Living model fills the gap where seniors can receive personal care while living in an environment where they are familiar and comfortable.

The Assisted Living care model is not yet mainstream in Singapore but it has been growing, and can be found offered in different settings offered by private organisations or in public housing.

Assisted Living Facility (ALF)
A type of senior residence and long-term living arrangement that provides senior residents with assistance for their Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL).

According to the Assisted Living Facilities Association (ALFA), ALFs offer a residential setting that provides personal care services, 24-hour supervision and assistance, activities, and health related services.

They are designed to
(a) minimise the need to relocate,
(b) accommodate individual residents’ changing needs and preferences,
(c) maximise residents’ dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, choice, and safety, and(d) encourage family and community involvement.

Who?
Assisted Living Facility residents are often seniors who are unable to maintain independent living, but are still cognitively capable and autonomous enough to benefit from the social care that may not be a priority in a nursing home. Residents should be partially independent and able to fulfil at least four BADLs on their own.
Community Care Apartments (CCA) by HDB
A new type of public housing jointly developed by the Ministry of National Development (MND), Housing & Development Board (HDB) and Ministry of Health (MOH).

CCAs combine senior-friendly housing with care services, offering an option for seniors to age in place and independently in a community setting.

The pilot CCAs are currently being built in Bukit Batok and Queenstown.

Who?
CCA
s are open to all who are eligible for HDB ownership. Priority is given to seniors with assistance needs.

Further Resources

Understanding Ageing

Old, living alone and surprisingly healthy
https://www.asiaone.com/health/old-living-alone-and-surprisingly-healthy

Genki Kaki
http://www.genkikaki.com/

Ageing: Social Concerns

Elder Care in Singapore - Cost Guide to your Options
https://blog.moneysmart.sg/healthcare/elderly-care-singapore-cost-guide-options/

Lonely and 'waiting to die', Singapore's elderly poor find hope in many helping hands
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/lonely-and-waiting-die-singapores-elderly-poor-find-hope-many-helping-hands-1015371

In Singapore, community gardens are helping the elderly deal with depression and loneliness
https://scroll.in/article/931397/in-singapore-community-gardens-are-helping-the-elderly-deal-with-depression-and-loneliness

Rethinking Ageing

Look Who's Wearing | Ah Gong & Ah Ma
https://willandwell.com/blogs/stories-cases/lww-ah-gong-ah-ma

New Aging
https://www.brucemaudesign.com/work/new-aging

Elderly Home Residents X SGAG
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/dontforgetme/elderly-home-residents-x-sgag-1542476

不老騎士,為愛千里GoGrandriders
https://www.hondao.org.tw/activity_page/gograndrider/index.html

Social Media for Older Adults
https://www.seniortechclub.com/tech-recipe/social-media-for-seniors/

5 senior influencers from Asia rewriting fashion rules for the over-50s
https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3094400/5-senior-fashion-influencers-instagram-70-year-old

Fit and swinging at 67
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/turning-ageing-on-its-head

Home & Community for Seniors

HDB | Community Care Apartments
https://www.hdb.gov.sg/cs/infoweb/residential/buying-a-flat/finding-a-flat/types-of-flats/community-care-apartments#:~:text=The%20Community%20Care%20Apartments%20are%20priced%20based%20on%20the%20lease,the%20age%20of%2095%20years.

About 200 assisted living HDB flats for elderly to be launched in Queenstown this year
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/queenstown-elderly-hdb-flats-community-care-apartments-2547716

Half of all new two-room HDB Flexi flats booked by elderly buyers; singles bought 38% of units
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/two-room-hdb-flexi-flats-booked-by-elderly-379081

Co-living for elderly is rising and it shares similarities with coworking business
https://socialworkplaces.com/co-living-elderly-coworking-real-estate-hospitality/

HDB | MNH - 5 Things to Know About the Community Care Apartments
https://www.mynicehome.gov.sg/hdb-how-to/buy-your-flat/5-things-to-know-about-the-community-care-apartments/

How Much Would You Save By Buying An Assisted Living HDB Flat?
https://stackedhomes.com/editorial/assisted-living-hdb-flats/#gs.ugoe4z

ALFA . Singapore
https://alfasingapore.org/

12 Japanese Architects Explore Living (And Aging) Collectively
https://www.fastcompany.com/3062515/12-japanese-architects-explore-living-and-aging-collectively

Aerial photographs of 1960s communal dining areas in Singapore's social housing
https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/relax-downstairs/