2023 Top Assisted Living Facilities in Singapore: Modern Options With Privacy for Enjoying Your Golden Years

Last updated on 3 Sep 2023

Like many developed economies across the world, Singapore’s population is ageing and facing decreasing birth rates.

In 2021, our little sunny island had one of the highest life expectancies in the world but also one of the lowest fertility rate globally, at 1.15 children per woman.

People without children is a growing trend in Singapore

I’m not sure whether you’ve observed the same trend amongst your circle of friends and family but statistics point to a growing trend of people choosing to remain childfree in Singapore. About 3 out of 10 women born in the mid-1970s remain permanently childfree.

The most common contributing factors I’ve heard are a greater focus on career aspirations, financial concerns, and changing societal norms.

It’s never too early for people without children to think about assisted living options during retirement years

As a person without children, it would be important for you to identify, analyse and select alternatives (when you are still in good health!) to traditional nursing homes.

We’ve heard too many horror stories about the traditional nursing homes in Singapore or elderly persons living in terribly isolating conditions.

To allay this real source of anxiety amongst the Age Alone Together (AAT) community, I’ve compiled some modern and innovative assisted-living facilities below that promote independence, social connection and a higher quality of life.

What’s assisted living? According to the Singapore-based Assisted Living Facilities Association, an assisted living facility caters to seniors who are too dependent on help to be able to maintain independent living, but still cognitively capable and autonomous enough to benefit from the social care that may not be a priority in a nursing home. 

Modern and Innovative Alternatives to Traditional Nursing and Retirement Homes in Singapore

Here are some assisted living facilities in Singapore offering independent ageing with a reasonable level of privacy, along with their pro and cons to support your research journey.

We are looking at options that resemble your current lifestyle as a young individual as much as possible (your own space, ease of meeting friends, customisable lifestyle choices like cooking or dining out when preferred etc).

Do check back regularly as AAT will continue to research and update this list!

1) St. Bernadette Lifestyle Village

This private retirement village is a modern assisted living facility for seniors located in Singapore. The facility aims to provide a homely and social environment for its residents, allowing them to live with autonomy and dignity.

Monthly rates for single occupancy start from SGD 4,000 to SGD 5,000 for services including laundry, utilities and one trained staff member to every eight seniors. Minimum tenure of six months.

Pros:

• Each facility consist of common living and dining areas, an outdoor area. The 8 single and conditioned rooms all have attached bathrooms and personalised features to ensure a comfortable living environment.
• Seniors maintain independence while receiving necessary care and support. For example, seniors may gather nightly in the living room to play mahjong and are free to go out for meals at Serangoon Gardens, or take supervised day-trips to Malaysia. Range of amenities, including including a clubhouse, gym, swimming pool, and outdoor exercise stations.
• Around-the-clock medical concierge services and professional medical and nursing care from the adjacent Good Shepherd Loft.
• Accessible locations across the island (Bukit Timah, Adam Road, Sembawang)
• The Sembawang facility offers motion sensors for safety, and Amazon Alexa voice assistants linked to a laptop. The caregiver can speak directly with the room’s occupant via telephone.

Cons:

• No subsidies are available for seniors who want to stay in such facilities, potentially limiting accessibility for those with financial constraints.
• Limited care services. The village primarily caters to seniors who can live independently. Seniors requiring extensive medical care, assisted living, or specialised services such as dementia care may need to look for alternative nursing homes or eldercare facilities.
• Limited capacity, with only three assisted living facilities in the St Bernadette Lifestyle Village group, may result in high demand and waiting lists.

2. Allium Healthcare

A subsidiary of G. K. Goh Holdings Ltd, Allium Healthcare provides residential care, day care, dementia care, home care, and caregiver support for the elderly.

It operates Allium Care Suites, Singapore’s first purpose-built 129-bed premium nursing home on Venus Drive, as well as other center-based services and personalized home care services.

They provide four types of private suites with en suite facilities: Single, Companion, Executive Single, and Executive Companion, with the option of a private balcony.

Based on the facility’s payment calculator, costs start at S$300 – S$310 per day (before GST) for single suite and a highly independent senior.

Pros:

• First upscale aged care provider in Singapore. The facility presents a hotel-like environment with elegantly furnished rooms and common areas.
• Comprehensive Clinical Care: the facility offers a wide range of clinical services, including nursing care, rehabilitation, dementia care, and respite care.
• Provides personalized home care services for older persons who prefer being treated at home. The facility offers various activities and programs that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Examples include art and music therapy as well as an integrated outdoor space with plants and vegetation, and a rooftop garden for walks and activities.

Cons:

• High turnover rate and high MC (medical certificate) rates reported by some employees. Lack of manpower and staffing issues mentioned by some employees
• Some older reviews mention subpar services provided to residents and poor quality food. The situation could have improved since.

3. HDB’s Community Care Apartments

In case you are unfamiliar with Singapore, the Housing & Development Board (HDB) is the country’s public housing authority responsible for planning, developing, and managing affordable (subsidised) housing for its citizens.

The HDB is experimenting with active ageing estates and centres to transform Singapore into an age-friendly city.

An example is the Community Care Apartments (CCAs), designed to support seniors aged 65 and above to live independently while preparing for their future care needs. Each apartment costs around S$82,000 – S$111,000 (this might change in the future) and you need to pay upfront with CPF/cash for a 15-35 year lease.

Each unit has an open layout with an internal floor area of 32m2 and comes with pre-installed fittings and senior-friendly design features.

Most importantly, you can get access to Integrated Care Services to meet seniors’ needs and facilitate independent living.

If you are a resident, you’ll need to subscribe to a Basic Service Package (about S$200 a month) which includes 24-hour emergency monitoring and response, basic health checks, and access to an on-site community manager.

This manager organises regular activities and programmes for residents, ensuring the provision of care and support services, simple home fixes, activities in communal spaces, and key card access to individual flats.

You also have the flexibility to opt for additional services like housekeeping, meal services and home personal care based on their needs and preferences.

To purchase a CCA, you’ll need to take note of key eligibility criteria like being at least 65 years old at the time of flat application and not exceed your monthly income ceiling of S$14,000. Your chosen lease must be able to last all the flat buyers and their spouses until at least age 95, computed as at the time of flat application. Full list of criteria here.

Pros:

• Senior-friendly design features and pre-installed fittings for safety and comfort.
• Minimal to no renovation required.
• Basic Service Package and optional services available to meet care needs.
• Flexible lease options ranging from 15 to 35 years (in 5-year increments).

Cons:

• Limited to seniors aged 65 and above.
• Cannot be sold in the open market; must be returned to HDB if no longer needed or eligible.
• No renting out of bedroom or whole flat allowed.
• Must meet a 5-year wait-out period before applying for another flat.

Get more information on upcoming projects, eligibility criteria, purchase process, and conditions after purchase on HDB’s website.

Conclusion

Please note that while the above options represent a range of innovative approaches to eldercare in Singapore, it is essential to research and visit each facility to determine the best fit for your individual needs and preferences.

As Singapore’s ageing population continues to grow, these innovative nursing homes and retirement models offer individuals like you who don’t have children a variety of options to maintain your independence, social connections, and overall quality of life.

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About Us

“Age Alone Together” is a Singapore-based blog created by a group of family and friends passionate about empowering individuals and couples without children to embrace their golden years with confidence, grace, and connection.

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