Why Assisted Living Might Be Your Next Senior Living Option Over A Nursing Home?

Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok is the first Community Care Apartment, consisting of 169 units in a housing block that is integrated with a hawker center, community garden, fitness station and a senior activity center expected to be completed in 2024. 

We are also seeing projects that the government is co-creating with industry players –  St Bernadette Lifestyle Village group, the 3 assisted living homes in Adam Road, Bukit Timah and Sembawang allow residents to live in single or twin-bedded rooms. Fees in the newest Sembawang facility ranges from $4,000 to $5,000 a month. 

So what is assisted living? We previously covered what assisted living is and the cost breakdowns of doing so. It is a new housing care model designed for older persons who need some form of assistance with daily living but still able and want to preserve a certain level of independence. For example, Dementia patients who are able to live independently but still require some supervision, assisted living might be the answer. 

There is no doubt that assisted living is becoming a hot alternative to nursing homes, which enable seniors to age independently with a peace-of-mind within the community.

Assisted living vs nursing homes

Choosing the right care solution will depend on long-term health needs as well as personal preferences. Explore your options thoroughly, and see what will best suit your or your loved one’s needs. Here we breakdown the differences between assisted living and nursing homes and why assisted living might actually be more conducive. 

Ageing with dignity and independence – A good 30% of those applying to nursing homes might not actually need it. The services that nursing homes provide typically cater to those with more severe health conditions and have severe mobility impairments. Round the clock care is commonplace where the staff would aid in administering medication and monitoring medical conditions. Those who do not require such intensive care services might find themselves leaning towards the assisted living model which allows one to preserve a certain level of independence without creating dependency on help while still being able to care for themselves. In short, it allows one to age with dignity and independence in those silver years.

Lowers risk of one falling into social reclusivity – Assisted living is big on the concept of community. Assisted living facilities often feature communal spaces which are safe and encourage interaction between the elderly. The upcoming Parry Avenue project would feature a wellness clubhouse, a geriatric care centre and a 1.5ha community park. These spaces are not as commonplace in nursing homes and thus those who opt for the nursing home option might not have as much access to this opportunity. We all know that social interaction is important and more so in one’s golden years – being cooped up in a confined space increases the risk of falling into social reclusivity. It is important to form new friendships with other people in the same stage as you.

What can you do next if you’re a caregiver?

According to the Ministry of Manpower’s 2020 Labour Force Survey, about 119,000 residents outside of the labour force cited care for family members or childcare as the main reasons for not working. Finding an appropriate care option can be a long and stressful process. 

For caregivers, this could just be the answer to finding an appropriate care option – for those who are still able to live independently but require some form of assistance. Many of these seniors may not qualify to stay in nursing homes, which typically have a waitlist and priority might be given to those deemed more in need. Having this middle ground option can now reduce the stress of family caregivers and provide a peace of mind that their elderly parents are being taken care of. 

For caregivers, Community Care Apartments might be something you want to explore as a care option. Here, you will find an introduction to the Community Care Apartments and its service offerings, information on the eligibility criteria, purchase process, and conditions after purchase.

Whilst it is definitely not for everyone, this model of eldercare and community care is slowly gaining traction. In time to come, could this possibly be the future of care?