Silver linings: in Southeast Asia, ageing is big business
From Singapore to Thailand, private operators and luxury resorts are cashing in, as more retirees seek care on their own terms
She turned down her children’s invitations to move to England, put off by London’s grey winters, and instead checked herself into an assisted living facility.
On a recent Monday afternoon in St Bernadette Lifestyle Village at Trevose Crescent, tucked away in the leafy residential estate of Bukit Timah, Fung celebrated her 92nd birthday.
Carers wheeled and walked eight fellow residents to the dining table before breaking into song. Goaded into a speech, Fung kept it brief: “I’m very happy to be here.”
These facilities offer a much-needed middle ground for older people who can no longer live independently but do not require the round-the-clock medical care of a nursing home.
Staff help residents with daily tasks such as dispensing medication and writing letters, while some facilities include memory care units for those experiencing cognitive decline.