AMK nursing home to have assisted living units

Channel NewsAsia understands Ren Ci's new nursing home in Ang Mo Kio will have residential units where spouses or caregivers can live with the elderly patients.

SINGAPORE: Singapore will have the first-of-its-kind assisted living unit, provided by Ren Ci Hospital.

The hospital will use this model in its new nursing home in Ang Mo Kio.

Channel NewsAsia understands the residential unit will allow the elderly who need short-term care to live with their spouses or caregivers.

The unit will be designed to provide a home-like environment, with cooking facilities.

Each unit can accommodate 20 patients and will be managed by a nurse.

It's hoped the new model will reduce the demand for nurses.

The four-storey home is likely to open at the end of 2016.

Meanwhile the hospital is set to open a new nursing home in Bukit Batok in the first quarter of next year.

This nursing home will also give patients a home-like experience.

Units will have a cosy corner and dining facilities, where residents are encouraged to move around and have greater autonomy.

Loh Shu Ching, Ren Ci Hospital CEO, said: "In the current one, it's very institutional where we tell you what time you wake up and what time you bathe and what time you eat. In a home, you don't do that. In a home, you decide on whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it."

On Thursday, the hospital - which turns 20 this year - kicked off its anniversary celebrations with a topping out ceremony at the new Bukit Batok facility.

"To better serve the community, Ren Ci will also operate a senior care centre at this new home. This is a day centre that will provide a one-stop shop for a range of services such as day care day-rehab and nursing services," said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.

Other facilities include a multipurpose hall for community engagement and a gym, which will also be open to the public in the evenings. 

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